Pursuant to orders issued when the soldiers were warned to leave the camps, the soldiers and the families of soldiers went to the permanent barracks at the fort and obtained shelter from the storm, although the buildings were so over crowded that man y of the soldiers had to take turns about going out onto the galleries of the buildings for periods of about an hour.                                                                    

                                                                                                    **************************          

            A part of the Twenty-eighth infantry was detailed by Fort Crockett officers to assist local police in patrolling the city last night, and due to the efforts of the regulars there was practically no looting during the night, nor were there any disturbances.  In the business part of the city four soldiers were assigned to the block, one man patrolling each side of the block.  In this manner the actions of every suspicious looking person were under the direct observation of the guards.  The soldiers fired a number of shots early this morning for the purpose of giving the fire alarm.  The high water has put the fire alarm system out of commission.                                                   

                                                                                                 ****************************** 

            Power, transportation, telegraph and telephone companies of the city, together with the gas company, are making every effort to repair their lines and mains, and to get their service into operation as soon as possible.  Hundreds of men already have been employed by these public utilities and the wreckage of the different lines is being cleaned up as rapidly as possible. 

            Realizing that it would be extremely dangerous if the electric current should be turned into the wires with so many fallen and tangled wires littering the streets, officials of the power companies will protect the city more by leaving the power off for several days then by turning it on now, according to their statements this morning. 

                                                                                                        ********************************* 

            Hundreds of rats, washed from their nests and hiding places about the docks by the high water, floated about the city yesterday on pieces of  timber and other wreckage.  Shivering with cold the creatures presented a fearsome appearance and everyone, acting on sympathetic impulse, also sanitary, killed the poor little rodents before they were drowned.    

                                                                                                          ************************************** 

       THE GALVESTON DAILY NEWS

           Wednesday, August 18, 1997 

ARRIVALS FROM MAINLAND BRING FIRST ACCOUNTS OF HAVOC WROUGHT BY STORM;  REPORT DEATH TOLL HEAVY

            First news from the mainland, as far north as Houston, reached Galveston at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon, a tug from the causeway bringing a party here of some score people, some from Texas City and others from Houston. 

            With these first arrivals from the mainland came somber accounts of havoc which followed in the wake of the hurricane, laying waste a great part of the country throughout the coast district for more than fifty miles inland and taking heavy toll in property damage and loss of life. 

            The causeway is practically a total wreck, little more than the concrete arches of the center structure, which support the drawbridge, remaining intact.   Railroad and interurban lines for a distance of seven miles inland from Virginia Point are virtually demolished, as are all telephone and telegraph lines. 

            At Virginia Point the Causeway inn, which sheltered forty people during the storm was carried away at 2 o’clock Tuesday morning. Thirty are known to be saved and the remaining fifteen are missing, six bodies having already been recovered. 

            Texas City was a heavy suffer from the storm, a loss of about twenty lives being reported, most of whom are believed to be soldiers.  The Army camps were wiped away by wind and water and the thousands of soldiers scattered over the mainland to seek safety as best they might. 

            That Houston felt the fury of the storm almost as severely as did Galveston is the declaration of those arriving here, some of whom left there Tuesday morning and others this morning.  Trains are arriving at Texas City Junction from Houston today, but from that point south the tracks are washed away. 

            In Houston the height of the gale reached a velocity of about seventy five miles an hour and property damage it is believed will amount into the millions, although only two known dead area reported.  Realizing the terrific nature of the storm and being cut off at an early hour Monday night from Galveston by  telegraph and telephone, it was the general belief in Houston that the island virtually had been swept away. 

            Telegraph wires north of Houston went down during the height of the storm, but from reports received there early in roundabout ways, it is thought that the force of the hurricane made itself felt as far inland as Oklahoma City, doing much damage throughout its path northward in Texas. 

            Houston, although suffering from a heavy loss in wrecked buildings, is in good condition.  The city water and light plants are in good order and running and it is believed that officials there already have taken steps to reach Galveston with relief boats containing food and water. 

           H.  D. Ross, a reporter for the Houston Post, left that city at 10 o’clock yesterday morning by automobile and reached Galveston this afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, having walked a large portion of the way after the roads became impassable for his machine.  Many of the most important details which follow were supplied by Mr. Ross, who personally investigated the territory, his reports being borne out by others who have arrived. 

          Dirt and pike roads as far north as La Porte are virtually impassable for automobiles, the water, reaching that far inland, having washed away the roadbeds and cut great channels across the surface.  A man and his son were lost in a fishing shack at La Porte. 

            The railroads are passable as far south as Texas City Junction and trains arrived there safely today.  The water at its height reached a depth of more than five feet at the junction, two large barges, drawing about eight feet each, belonging to the Davis Coal and Coke Company, being found stranded within three hundred yards of the junction station. 

            At this point a freight and work train of about thirty cars, left standing on the track, was turned over and from under one of the cars the hand and arm of a woman were seen protruding, it being impossible to recover the body. 

            At Virginia Point, which is at the immediate end of the causeway on the mainland side, nothing was left standing, the Causeway Inn, where forty people sought refuge, being completely carried away with a death toll of about fifteen. 

            Of the causeway about 1,700 feet, this control portion,  remains standing and on this were found two interurban passenger coaches wrecked. 

            In the great lift bridge house, which weathered the storm, the bridge tender and his family, consisting of his wife and two children, stayed out the storm and were taken off this afternoon none the worse for their experience, although badly fatigued. 

            The chief problem which now appears to present itself is the re-establishment of transportation facilities between Galveston and the mainland.  A large force of workmen for all railroads and telegraph and telephone lines left Houston at daylight this morning with equipment for repairing tracks and lines and this work will be rushed as rapidly as possible.  It is believed that trains will be able to reach Virginia Point within two days at the most. 

            Meantime efforts are being made to establish boat communication between Houston and Galveston. 

                                                                                                   *********************************** 

            Maco Stewart and G. L. Stevens arrived in Galveston early Wednesday afternoon with the first news from the outside world since Galveston was cut off from communication by both telegraph and telephone about 9 o’clock Monday night. 

            “Mr. Tom Finty Jr. of The Galveston-Dallas News arrived in Houston from Dallas and was unable to hear anything Galveston,” said Mr. Stevens. “Mr. Finty came out of Houston on a work train this morning and got off at La Marque.  There he got information direct from survivors at Virginia Point.”      

            Both ends of the Galveston causeway have been destroyed, and nothing remains but the arch in the center, about 1700 feet of the causeway remaining intact.  The lift bridge remained in good condition,” said Mr. Stewart. 

            Two interurban cars leaving Houston Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock filled with people, were marooned on the causeway just west of the arches.  Of the total number in these cars, but 27 were saved, all the others being lost.  The cars also have disappeared. 

            The Causeway Inn on the western end of the causeway, had a large number of people in it, a few of whom escaped to the switch tower near the railroad tracks.  The switch tower was undamaged and those who got into the tower were saved.   They spent Monday night in the tower, and those able to travel  started to La Marque on the Galveston, Houston and Henderson railroad tracks, leaving around  daylight Wednesday morning. 

            Mr. Finty had intended coming to Galveston, but met Major General J. Franklin Bell, commander of the Second Division, U. S. A. , at La Marque and  W. E. Maxson, superintendent of the Santa Fe railroad.   After a conference with them and with citizens of Galveston, Mr. Finty, Mr. Maxson and others decided that General Bell should proceed to Houston on a work train which had just reached La Marque from Houston; that Mr. Finty would return to Houston and try to establish communication with the outside world.  

            All manner of rumors were on the streets in Houston, some to the effect that as many as 25,000 people had been drowned in Galveston and that seven feet of water  was in the Santa Fe station. 

            At Texas City the town was badly damaged by the wind, both brick and frame houses being destroyed.  Captain E. B.  Wolvin of Texas City came from Houston to La Marque with Mr. Finty, having ordered out a train of provisions and water for the relief of the people at Texas City where martial law has been declared. 

            Houston was cut off from all telegraph communications everywhere . The nearest telegraph line in operation is at Wallis, Texas,  on the Santa Fe railroad.  The Western Union Telegraph Company is accepting messages at Houston and sending them by train to the nearest telegraph station for re-forwarding.

            Mr. Maxson had arranged for a train out of Houston with life boats to come to Highland Bayou, about three miles south of Hitchcock, with the view of putting boats into the bayou and reach Galveston. 

            The North American Dredging Company put its tender, Ryan, into commission between Galveston and Texas City and brought over the news from Texas City. 

            The dredge boat Houston, belonging to the Standard American Dredge Company, and constructed at a cost of about $250,000, was lost with all forty members of the crew except one deck hand, who was picked up by the Ryan on its way to Galveston.  Captain Lewis of the Houston went down with his boat. 

            Monday night the barometer at Alvin registered 28.20.  The town of Alvin was badly wrecked.  The depot at Alvin is a total wreck.  May box cars are in the ditches at Alvin and Houston. 

            Mr. Maxson of the Santa Fe, assisted by E. E. Taylor, superintendent of the Northern division of the Santa Fe Railroad, is making every possible effort to open a line of communication with the outside world. 

            Matt Murray of the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad brought out a special work train from Houston Wednesday morning. 

           H. H. Haines and Hoskins Foster of Galveston came from their residences at Dickinson by auto, crossing Dickinson Bayou on the railroad ties, and attended the impromptu conference at La Marqaue. Mr. Haines went to Houston to assist in getting communication established between Houston, Galveston and the world. 

                                                                                                 *********************************           

GREAT PROBLEMS DISCUSSED BY CITIZENS OF GALVESTON; SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE 

            In a stirring talk to the citizens gathered in the meeting called by Mayor Lewis Fisher at 3 o’clock this afternoon Maco Stewart expressed what, by the applause, was the manifest consensus of opinion of the audience.  He expressed the greatest faith in the integrity of Galveston, and pointed out the necessity of doing certain thins to insure its impregnability against storm damage.  

            These things were the construction of a breakwater beyond the sea wall, the elevation of lines of communication with the mainland, the extension of the sea wall around the city, the raising of the grade and the rehabilitation of the causeway in manner to make all parts of it as thoroughly proof against the assaults of water and wind as the concrete arches of the mid-portion. 

            With about a hundred men present, the meeting was called to order by Mayor Fisher, who announced that its purpose was to learn if outside aid was needed.  He announced that fresh water may be turned into the mains tonight or Thursday morning, and that people wanting work should report to the mayor’s office in the city hall.  The mayor also explained that there was no martial law and that the soldiers are merely assisting the police in patrolling the city. 

            Among the several who spoke, all in tones of confidence, were Colonel Willard F. Waltz, in command of the Fifth brigade, A. H. Warren, manager Galveston Electric Co., City Commissioners Sappington and M. E. Shaw, L. C. Bradley, or Dallas, County Commissioner, J. E. Boddeker, John Sealy, E. R. Cheesborough, W. F. McFarland, W. S. Weiner, Maco Stewart, H. Mosle and Dr. Edward Randall. 

            Mr. Stewart said in part: “The  temporary condition in Galveston as to immediate work is a problem that will solve itself, for there is plenty of work here for all.   The problem confronting those of us who expect to make this our homes, to live here for the remainder of our lives, is to make a place where we do not have to think of  the safety of our people or our property.  Hurricanes have come here from time immemorial and will come at irregular intervals.  Every hurricane will raise the water and we must get not only the island but the avenues of trade leading to it elevated above the high water. 

            I left here Monday afternoon to look after my aged mother near Hitchcock, and spent Monday night in a country farm house between Hitchcock  and La Marque.  Tuesday I tried to reach the G. H. & H., but found the roads under water.  I turned back and had to wade through water more than waist deep to reach Hitchcock.  There I found Superintendent Maxson of the Santa Fe trying to reach Galveston.  He was not trying to reach the city on account of Galveston, but because the rest of the world demands communication with the shipping facilities of this city. 

            I went to Houston last night on a special Santa Fe train and left there early this morning an come to Texas City junction of a G. H. & H. Work train.  The train could not reach Virginia Point on account of the debris on the track.  Upon reaching Galveston I found that Mr. Pettibone of the Santa Fe, in conjunction with other railroad officers, is preparing to open the causeway and put trains across as soon as possible. 

            These railroad men had ordered and there was on the way all the necessary equipment and piling for the temporary reconstruction of the rail line into Galveston, in order that the freights of Texas and the West might  reach the Galveston dock for a shipment to the outside world.  Now is the time for our people to realize the necessity

of making permanent and lasting improvements that will prevent a repetition of the existing conditions. 

            The outside world needs Galveston, and has demonstrated by its activities in these endeavors to get to this city the fact that Galveston is absolutely necessary to the commerce of the world. 

            In order to make Galveston the city that it must be for our people to be contented and prosperous, it is necessary that further improvements be made.  After the storm of 1900 the legislature of Texas arranged that all Galveston County taxes be used toward the cost of raising the grade of the city.  It is absolutely necessary that the entire grade of the city be raised above any possibility of an over flow.  It also is necessary that both ends of the causeway be reconstructed along the same permanent line as the middle of the structure.  The arches in the middle of the causeway are intact, as is also the lift bridge.  These arches must be extended on either side to connect the island and the mainland.  In some way, probably by joint arrangement between the county and railroads, a road must be built sufficiently high from the causeway northward toward Hitchcock and La Marque on that rail traffic shall never again be interrupted.  

            The county could build an elevated joint automobile and railway embankment from the causeway northward about ten miles.  This embankment can be used for the railroads to its northern extremity and the rods can then diverge along existing rail routes. 

            There should and must be a roadway from the city of Galveston to a connection of the causeway raised just as high as is the causeway.  Not only must the grade of the city be raised, even in the business portion, but a breakwater must be built outside the sea wall.   This last can be accomplished through aid of the federal government. 

                                                                                                          *********************************** 

                                                                                                        MALLORY LINER CONCHO SAFE  

            The Mallory steamship Concho is safe, and is outside the harbor at anchor.  Anxiety was felt for the safety of the Concho, since she had not been reported since leaving Key West.  She has on board a large number of Texans, returning from vacations spent in the East.  It will probably be two or three days before she comes to dock, but the food supply aboard is ample. 

            Officers of the Concho reported that Monday night they had talked by wireless to the Araphoe, that left Galveston Saturday afternoon for New York with almost one hundred passengers.  No word has since been heard from the Araphoe.  Shipping men say she is a staunch craft, as well ballasted with heavy cargo and the chances are most favorable that she has reached Key West safely.

            The Morgan liner El Sud, one of the largest and fastest of the line, is aground on the jetties.  She arrived during the night and drove on to the jetties when her propeller snapped.  The tugs R. C. Veit and Senator Bailey are standing by and it is believed that she will be pulled off to deep water in safety. 

            One other steamer, an oil tanker, name unknown, has ridden safely into the deep water just outside the harbor is anchored there. 

                                                                                                             **********************************

            Captain George Kelly of Galveston, well known throughout the city, who was believed to have been lost when he was caught in his camp down the island by the hurricane Monday night, is alive, but in a serious condition.  After floating for  forty hours in the raging bay water, clinging to the wreckage of a small skiff, he was washed ashore near Virginia Point, where he was discovered helpless and almost lifeless by rescuing parties.

            Captain Kelly was taken to Texas City and a boat  was sent for him at 3:30 o’clock this afternoon.  He will be brought to Galveston and hoes for his recovery are entertained.                         

                                                                                                         ************************************ 

         W. H. Crawford, engineer on the Nicholaus, pleasure launch, spent the entire time of the storm on board his boat, which is now stranded on a bar directly across the bay, on the north side, from Pier 20.  He got to the mainland this morning from his boat, and reported on arriving in Galveston at 3 o’clock today that he had found two white men, lying in the mud and sand, with their faces down, directly across the bay from Pier 40.  Neither dead man was touched, and a rescue party will be sent out tonight to get the bodies. 

            Dolph Rogers, proprietor of Rogers Oyster Farm, down the island, fears for whose safety have been felt among his friends here, is alive.  With a life preserver around his waist he drifted with the high water from the site of his resort down the island across the bay to the mainland near Texas City, where he is now reported to be safe and sound. 

                                                                                                          ************************************ 

            An ample fresh water supply has been found.  It is an artesian well of the Galveston Ice an Cold Storage Company, located in the alley back of the building, between Avenues A and B, Twentieth and Twenty-first.  The well, officials say, is flowing about 100,000 galls per day, and the water is free to all who will go for it. 

NOTE:  This concludes all the information that I was able to type in its entirety from the two front pages of Galveston Newspapers printed immediately after the August 1915 Hurricane.  Hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I have enjoyed obtaining the information.  /s/ Vernon H. Drewa, Jr.                                                

                                                                                                            Ed. F. Drewa Family, Circa 1915                                                         

                                                                                             Back Row:  L to R.   Milton, Vernon H,  Edwin & Steffen Drewa.

                                                                               Front Row:  Sophie Steffens Drewa, Edward Frederick Drewa and daughter;   Sedonia.

                                                                                                        Sophie Marie Adophine Steffens

           In 1867, Ferdinand Steffens and Henrietta Luedeuke were married (Galveston County Courthouse Marriage records. Book D, page 300.) (The Ferdinand and Henrietta meeting and history will be addressed under the Ferdinand Steffens entry.). Sophie was not the only child born out of this Union.

           Dr. Steffens died September  l8, l875 and is listed in Book #I, First Lutheran Church, page 688., Section on funerals, service for members who died in the l875 Hurricane (However, Galveston County Mortuary Records note that Ferdinand died of Typoid fever). Sophie's mother died in 1886, leaving  Sophie to be cared  for by her two half brothers, i.e., Herman and Charles.  They were Luedeuke, not Steffens, and therefore not entitled to any of the Steffen family property. 

          Galveston County Courthouse Probate Minutes.  Judge Robert Morris Franklin, Trustee. #73-1809.  Robert M. Franklin, administrator, petitioned the court to change records to correct name.....that the name of said deceased...is erroneous by stated as Henrietta "Stephens" when it should have been Henrietta "Steffens". Judge Franklin's papers.  Galveston Texas History Center, Rosenberg Library.) Names seemed to have been used interchangeable during the 1800, especially with those arriving from Germany and Prussia ,i.e.  Edward Vs Edwin, Stephens Vs Steffens etc.

          She married Ed. F. Drewa February 11, 1891 (Marriage records, Book K, page 47.) There were  five children. Sophia passed away with cancer of the pancreas and is interred in the family plot at Galveston Memorial Park, Hitchcock, TX.     Herman Luedeuke left home after the death of his mother and Charles remained to take care of his half sister, Sophie (who was 13 at this time). 

           It is not clear as to what happened  to all the property that Dr. Steffens had accumulated at this time, but his investments were considerable. He owned nearly the entire block of 27th and Ave. O., starting at 27th and going west one block.  He had an office and lab, as well as rental property between Ave. O and Ave. P.  He also had rental properties next to 2701 Ave. O., plus 35 shotgun rental units near the wharf.  He also owned  a couple of bars and even a brothel. Payoffs were commonplace during this period.   

           Consequently from existing records, it was learned that Sophie had to work in order to keep the Steffens homestead. She started out making candy, selling drugs and as a seamstress at her daddy' s doctor office adjacent the south side of the alley behind the existing homestead. Charles worked as a house painter.  He met Ed Drewa on a construction site and introduced him to his half sister, Sophie.  She was l8 years old at the time and worked as a clerk in a dry goods shop.

           Frederick C. Steffens arrived in Galveston on the "Juno" from Hildesheim, Prussia in l860 on the eve of the Civil War ( Geue, Ethel Hander, New Homes in New Land: German Immigration to Texas l847 to l861, Passenger Lists, page 136.) He was twenty-two years old at the time.

            When the Civil War started in l861, he enlisted in the Galveston Artillery serving with Captain H. Van Buren's Company in Colonel Ford's Regiment of the Rio Grande Volunteers (Hayes, Charles W., History of the Island and the City of Galveston, Vol. I, page 484.) The Artillery practiced with General Ebenezer B. Nichols' on the Strand, and left on the schooner "Shark" in February l861 for Fort Brown to demand a Federal surrender of the forts along the Rio Grande River.  The Federal commander surrendered and the main body of the Galveston Rifles and Artillery returned to Galveston (From the History of the Island and the City of Galveston. Same page as previous reference.  Also,  “The War of the Rebellion,”  A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies.  Government Printing Office, Washing-ton, DC, Vol. 48, page 866.).  While serving with the artillery Steffens had demonstrated his knowledge, skill and medical abilities.              When first enlisted he was listed as an "artisan", later this designation was changed to surgeon.    While the company was on the border, Galveston was being fortified.

          Steffens, when he returned , was assigned to the South Battery under Commander J.J. Cook.  During the Federal occupation of Galveston the Confederates retreated to Virginia Point where they remained until General J. B. Magruder organized the recapture of the city January l, l863 (Hayes, Vol. II, page 552.).     When Steffens returned to his post at the South Battery he served as military surgeon.  By l864, he was the surgeon on the "Bayou City" which was assigned to the defense of Galveston Island (War of the Rebellion, Vol. l5, Chapter XXVII, p. 210. Col. Cook was given" Bayou City" to help defend Galveston. Captain Lubbock asked for a medical man to be assigned to his crew. Also Vol. 48. Chapter LX, p. 866 is an engineer's  report on Galveston Fortifications and he quotes a Dr. F. Steffens of the "Bayou  City".). October 23, l865, the Board of Trustees of Soule University ordered a branch facility , the Galveston Medical College, to be opened in Galveston. Dr. Greensville S. Dowell was appointed professor of anatomy and he invited Steffens to assist him (Jones, Ralph W., Soule University:  The First Roots of the Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.. They had met during Dr. Dowell's service as Surgeon-General in the Confederate Army.

           When Galveston, in l867, experienced an epidemic of yellow fever Dr. Steffens assisted the Howard Association in caring for the sick and dying (Mortuary records and Howard Association papers, Galveston Texas History Center, Rosenberg Library, passim.).  While so occupied, he met Emile Luedeuke (Who had originally settled in New Ulm, Austin County, Texas ) who with his wife Henrietta had also arrived in Galveston from Germany in l860. Two children were born to the Luedeuke's in Galveston, Herman in l866, and Charles in l867.

           Emile Luedeuke died in the yellow fever epidemic and two years later, in l870 (January 5, 1870 according to Galveston County Marriage Records), Ferdinand Steffens and Henrietta Luedeuke were married (Geue, passenger lists, p. 102. In l860 Emile and Henrietta arrived in Galveston aboard the "Weser" from Meindorf.)( Galveston County Court-house, marriage records. Book D., p. 300.).

           That year Dr. Steffens purchased one half of lot 4 and all of lots 5,6, and 7 on the northeast quarter of outlot 65 in Galveston ( County Courthouse, deed records, book Y. page 27. ). On lot 7, in l870, he built a house for his new family, and he built a rental house on the south side of the lot (Assessor's abstracts, Galveston Texas History Center. Dr. Steffens built a five room L-shaped frame building room deep with an attached covered porch.).  Ferdinand and Henrietta's daughter, Sophia Steffens, was born in l872. In l873, he built a third house on the west side of his property (Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of l889).

           The Galveston Medical College closed in l873, and the Texas Medical College and Hospital was formed in l873 ( The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; A Seventy-five year History by Faculty and Staff, l967, p. 1-10.). Dr. Steffens did not join Dr. Dowell in this;  instead he began a private practice in an office he built next to his home.    He practiced medicine there until he died of Typhoid Fever on September l5, l875 (Dr. Steffens died September l8, l875 and is listed in Book #I, First Lutheran Church, p. 688. Section on funeral, service for members who died in the l875 hurricane. NOTE: Even though this even is listed with the Hurricane victims, Ferdinand is carried on the Galveston County Mortuary Roles as having died of Typhoid Fever!!!). Henrietta died in l886, leaving Sophie to be cared for by her two half brothers (Galveston County Courthouse Probate Minutes. Judge Robert Morris Franklin, trustee. #73-1809. Robert M. Franklin, administrator, petitioned the court to change records to correct name...that the name of said deceased...is erroneous by stated as Henrietta "Stephens" when it should have been Henrietta "Steffens". Judge Franklin's papers.  Galveston Texas History Center, Rosenberg Library.). Herman and Charles were Luedeuke's, not Steffens, and therefore not entitled to any of the Steffens family property. Herman left home and Charles, who took the Steffens name, stayed to care for Sophie. Charles worked as a house painter.  He met Edward Drewa on a construction site and introduced him to Sophie Steffens. She was l8 years old at the time and working as a clerk in a dry goods store.

                                                                        THE STEFFENS-DREWA HOUSE 2701 Ave. O Galveston, Texas.

           The Steffens-Drewa House was occupied by members of the same family for over 113 years in accordance with Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody, Galveston, Texas., Deed Records from 1867 to 1984 record family ownership. Galveston City Directories from l869 to 1984 list the family at this address. Steffens used different spellings of his name at different times appears as Ferdinand Stephens, Frank Stephens , F. Stevens, F. Steffins.  The earliest part of the house was built by Frederick Steffens (Deed Records, Book Y. p. 27-8. Assessor's abstracts, Galveston, TX. l868.  Value on property and improvements, $l000.00. Lots 5,6,6 and 1/2 of 4, NE OL 65.), a pioneer Galveston physician who served in the Confederate Army in the Battle of Galveston and with the Howard Association, giving aid and comfort to the victims of yellow fever during an epidemic (Hayes, Charles W., History of the Island and City of Galveston, Vol. I. p. 486. Galveston Texas History Center, Rosenberg Library.  Howard Association of Galveston, records.). (Note: "OL" denotes OutLot. Term commonly used in 1800's and early 1900's. /s/Vernon Drewa, Jr.)

           Alterations and additions to the house from l895 to 1914 exhibit the changes in the life of the family, the changing times and the growth of the city, and the career of Edward Drewa, a master craftsman, whose artistic work in plaster can be found in many of Galveston's most important buildings.

           The house is distinctive and unusual in Galveston and notable in that as an evolutionary house it reflects several different building campaigns and stylistic influences, combining Eastlake, Bungaloid and Gulf Coast vernacular, to make an attractive livable home.  The interior decorations show some of Drewa's fine plaster work.  The two rental houses, built by Drewa in l895 on the property adjacent to the Steffens-Drewa house, now privately owned, are twin commissary houses with fine detailing on the front facades and are, except for small changes, exactly the same in appearance as when first built.

           Reference materials were also located in the following documents:

                Alperin, Lynn M., Custodians of the Coast:  History of the United States Army Engineers at Galveston, Galveston District United States Army. Corps of Engineers, Galveston, l977.

                Davis, A. B. Jr., Galveston's Bulwark Against the Sea: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Galveston, l961.                          

               Galveston City Directories, l882 to l935.

                Galveston County Courthouse.-----Deed Records

                 George Schneider to Ferdinand  Steffens. Book Y, p. 27-8. November 13, l867.

                 Vernon Drewa to Raymond Reesby.  #002-89-2207.  March l3, l984.

                 ----Marriage Records.

         Henrietta Luedeuke married Ferdinand C. Stephens (sic) "Steffens", December 31, l869, Book D, p. 300. ( NOTE: The Court house records show that they took out a license to be married on the 31st of December 1869, but were not married until January 5, 1870.  This according to a copy of the marriage document held by their great grandson, Vernon H. Drewa, Jr.,  grandson of Sophia, and son of Vernon H. Drewa.)             

               Edward Drewa married Sophia Steffens, February 10, 1891., Book K. p. 47.               

               Edwin Drewa married Maude Bludworth, August l0, 1914. Book Y, p. 145. (She hung herself a few months after her son died /s/ Vernon H. Drewa, Jr.)

               Steffen A. Drewa married Aline C. Anderson, March 22, 1922, Book 6, p. 496.  (They had a son, Steffen A. Drewa, Jr, who died in a tragic automobile accident, after returning to Galveston on leave from the Navy in 1945 /s/ Vernon H. Drewa, Jr.)

                -----Probate Minutes. #73-1809.

                -----Commissioner's Minutes.

                Galveston Insurance Board, 2115 Winnie, Galveston, Texas.

                Geue, Ethel, New Homes in a New Land, German Immigration to Texas 1847-1861.

                Genealogical Publications, l982.    Howard Association of Galveston, Records., Galveston, Texas History Center., Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Texas.

                Hayes, Charles W., History of the Island and City of Galveston, Vol. I.    Jenkins Garrett Press, Austin, TX. 19743.

Jones, Ralph W., Soule University: The First Roots of the Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.    Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXV, April l962, No. 4.p.465-474.

Rosenberg Library, Galveston Texas History Center.  

 -----Assessor's abstracts. 1879 to 1904.

-----1865 Rebel Line of Works Map.

-----Drie, C., Birdseye map of the City of Galveston, l871.

 -----Sanborn Fire Insurance maps -1889, 1899, 1912.

-----Galveston Insurance Board records.

-----Mortuary records.

-----First Lutheran Church records.  1851-1946.  Book I., p.688.

      Singleton, Albert Olin, (1882-1947) An Account of the Early History of Surgery in Texas. Presidential address before the Texas Surgical Society, October l932.

      The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.  A Seventy-five year History by Faculty and Staff.  University of Texas Press. Austin. 1967. p. 7-10.

      The War of the Rebellion.  A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies.  Published under the direction of the Hon. Daniel S. Lamont, Secretary of War. Board of Publication, Series I, Vol. XLVIII, part I. p. 866.  Reports and correspondence, etc.  Washington, Government Printing  Office, 1896,

      Winsor, Bill, Texas in the Confederacy, Military Installations, Economy and People.  Hill Jr. College Press, Hillsboro, Texas, l978.

      Wright, Marcus Jr., Brig. General C.. S. A., Texas in the War, l861-1865.  Editor Harold B. Simpson, Col., USAF (Ret), Hill Jr. College Press, Hillsboro, Texas.

          Edward 's occupation: Retired Private Contractor in Galveston, Texas.

 January 1995: My cousin, Merle Drewa Denny sent me the an article on "Trek off to Galveston for another historic Tour."  Among other homes highlighted is this article:  Only in Texas---a shotgun style floor plan with "Painted Lady" detailing----is on view at the 1896 Steffens-Drewa Home at 2709 Avenue O. Note: This home is adjacent the Drewa homestead at 2701 Ave O.  At this writing, there are two other homes built by my Grandfather, Ed. F. Drewa.  They are lined up west of the 2709 home. /s/ Vernon H. Drewa, Jr.

           Edward Frederick Drewa and Sophie Marie Adolphine Steffens had the following children:

    +          7         i. Auguste Wilhelmine Sedonia³ Drewa was born September 17, 1891.

    +          8        ii. Edward (Edwin) William Drewa was born March 9, 1893.

    +          9       iii. George Carl Milton Drewa was born May 5, 1896.

    +        10       iv. Steffen Adolphos Drewa was born January 22, 1899.

    +        11        v. Vernon Henry Drewa was born September 16, 1906.   

          4.  Charles Louis² Drewa (Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas September 6, 1879.  Charles died July 15, 1952 at 72 years of age.   

          married Anita Henrietta Clausen in Galveston, Texas, October 15, 1902.  was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas September 17, 1881.  Anita died September 11, 1967 in Galveston, Texas, at 85 years of age.    's occupation: Retired Santa Fe Railroad.  

                                                                                                   Charles Louis Drewa 

          Charles Louis Drewa is interred at Galveston Memorial Park, Hitchcock, Texas, along with his wife.  

         Per his son Louis Herman.  Charles was a printer, painter (painted streetcar numbers), longshoreman, soldier (fought in the famous Argonne Forrest, France. Many of our troops were gassed by the Germans,  in this as well as other battles.  He enlisted in the Army at Fort Crockett on July 9, 1917 --which was an Army Artillery Fort on Galveston Beach---and was built to protect the City of Galveston. He was discharged from the Army, Corps of Engineers at Newport News, Virginia on April 10, 1919.), stevedore, groundskeeper for the Galveston Baseball club from 1914 until 1917. This team was part of the old Texas League, which dissolved in the 1960's.  He also played trombone in parades (hung decorations at the Armistice Ball, in the Galveston Municipal Auditorium.  

          Charles and his wife, Anita Henritta Clausen had three children. All of which were delivered by a mid-wife and at home. The mid wife was his mother-in-law, Louise Busch Clausen.  These children were Elizabeth Harriet Drewa (was never married ).,  Robert Leonard Drewa (as of April 1992 is residing in California, after retiring from the U. S. Marine Corp.  His wife Olive died May 24, 1990.  They were married in 1954 and was his first marriage, though it was Olive's second.) and Louis Herman Drewa ( who provided such insight through his memories of the 1900's and his father.) each will be addressed in their respective areas.    Cause of Death: Heart Attack.  

          and Anita Henrietta Clausen had the following children:  

    +        12         i. Louis Herman³ Drewa was born August 6, 1905.

    +        13        ii. Robert Leonard Drewa was born September 9, 1910.

               14       iii. Elizabeth Harriet Drewa was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas September 25, 1915.  Elizabeth died July 29, 1938 in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, at 22 years of age.  Elizabeth Henrietta Drewa Elizabeth was never married that we know. Nor have I received a death certificate from Austin noting the cause of death.  She was a young lady at the time and is interred with her parents at Galveston Memorial Park, Hitchcock, Texas.

                                                                                                       Third Generation  

            7.  Auguste Wilhelmine Sedonia³ Drewa (Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas September 17, 1891.  Auguste died December 24, 1982 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas, at 91 years of age.  was interred December 1982 in Hitchcock, Texas.   

          She married Paul Eugene Carder in Galveston, Galveston, Co., Texas, June 30, 1915.  Paul was born in Whitney, Hill County, Texas February 7, 1892.  Paul was the son of James Carder and Mary Duncan .  died February 6, 1960 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at 67 years of age.  was interred in Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas.  Paul E. Carder Uncle Paul was born in Hillsboro, Texas on February 7, 1893.  He passed away in John Sealy Hospital at Galveston, Texas on February 6, 1960.  He was 66 years 11 months and 29 days old. Paul is buried in the Carder family plot at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hillsboro, Texas. His parents and three sisters are also buried here. Paul was Chief Agent for the Rock Island Railroad in the Galveston area and was instrumental in having the Rock Island railroad move huge quantities of petro-chemical products from the Texas City disaster of 1945. Paul had a Masonic Burial, which was conducted by the Hillsboro Masonic Lodge #196. Mr. Lew Moore of Tucker Lodge officiating. Paul was also active in the Galveston Masonic Lodge and Shrine. Uncle Paul's brother was E. M. Carder. His sisters were Miss Pattie Carder, Mrs. Bessie Hunt and Mrs. Grace Smith.  

7-12-97: 

Two of Pauls sisters;  Grace Sumner Carder Smith was born August 27, 1882.  DOD: Not Known and Bessie Aileene Carder Hunt was born November 2, 1886 in Hill County, Texas. DOD: Not known. A brother; Earl Martenie Carder was born August 7, 1880 in Comanche, Texas. Irene Juliet Carder, is also one of Pauls sisters was born April 1, 1888 in Whitney Texas. Dates of Birth and names for others I located on one document are:

    Pearl Harlan Carder, Aug 7, 1866

    Mattie Henrietta Carder, May, 26 1868

    James Archie Carder, September 28, 1870  at Galveston, Texas.

    Dora May Carder, December 23, 1872 at Arkadelphia, Ark.

    Mary Josephine Carder, May 6, 1874 at Arkadelphia, Ark.

    George Gibson Carder, October 7, 1880.

  To date I have not gone to Hill County to obtain records for the aforementioned.

January 1994: The following items retrieved from Galveston newspaper.

 Obituary Paul E. Carder Succumbs Here 

 Paul E. Carder, 66, a Galveston resident since 1912, died at 3 a.m. Saturday in John Sealy hospital.  He was retired as agent from the Rock Island railroad seven years ago. Mr. Carder was born February 7, 1893 in Hillsboro, Texas. He resided here at 2701 Avenue O. Survivors include his wife, Sedonia D. of Galveston; a brother, E M. of Houston; three sisters, Miss Pattie Carder, Mrs. Bessie Hunt and Mrs. Grace Smith , all of Fort Worth, and several nieces and nephew. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday in J. Levy & Bro. funeral home, the Rev. John W. Salzman officiating. Burial will be in Hillsboro at 3 p.m. Monday. Masonic funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the Hillsboro, cemetery.

 Family members attending from Vernon H. Drewa, Jr. (Nephew) records: 

        Mr. and Mrs. Vernon H. Drewa, Sr.

        Mr. and Mrs. Vernon H. Drewa, Jr.

        Mrs. Catherine Drewa ( 2nd wife of Milton Drewa, Pauls brother in law.)

        Mr. and Mrs. H. Keith Denney (Merle is Niece of Sedonia Drewa Carder and through marriage, niece of Paul.)

        Mrs. Lenore E. Drewa, wife of Herman Drewa, who was Sedonia's Uncle.  

 March 3, 1993: 

This writer had heard periodically since 1932 that Aunt Donie and Uncle Paul had a baby.  It was never confirmed whether the child died at birth.  Dad spoke of it sometimes but never had any definitive information.  

Robert Wayne Drewa located the following document under a file cabinet drawer: Galveston, Texas  Jan 18th, 1921.  

Received of Mr. Paul E. Carder # 2701-O for opening and closing grave for Infant Carder :  $4.00. The Lakeview Cemetery Per R. M. Furs This writer has written to the Lakeview Cemetery and provided $25.00 for them to research documents regarding this child and also the burial records of other Drewa's.  

Donie, as she was known to her friends was a 50 year life member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Galveston.  She was also a lifetime residence of Galveston, and a member of the First Lutheran Church of Galveston. She is interred at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock, Texas with her parents.  Her husband Mr. Paul E. Carder is interned with his family in Hillsboro, Texas. Sedonia and Paul Carder had a baby die, but it is not known, if at birth. Marriage records, Book Z, page 64. Sedonia married Paul E. Carder.  

6-30-1995.  

Donie's  life can be summed up in one sentence. "She was totally committed and devoted to taking care of Mother after the death of her father, Ed. F. Drewa". Her father was still in bed at his home recovering from a “heart attack.”  Aunt Donie had come over to feed him breakfast, and was holding her Father in her lap on the bed, when he had a massive heart attack and died.  She and Uncle Paul moved in with Grandma immediately after Grandpa's death in 1935, and sold their home on Ave. P 1/2 a few blocks away.  (Note:  The story re Aunt Donie holding her father when he passed away, was told to me by my father from shortly after Grandpa's death until the early 1980's. /s/ Vernon Drewa, Jr.)

During the 1930's Donie was an avid piano player, but after her dad passed away, I never heard her play again.  And my dad, Vernon H. Drewa asked her to play many times. Grandpa played the Mandolin and my father played the coronet, which he gave to Vernon Drewa Jr,. (Vernon Drewa Jr., played in the Polytechnic High School Band, Fort Worth, Texas for one year.)  

March 3, 1993:  

Robert Wayne Drewa recently found the following Record of Baptism for Aunt Donie: She received a Christian Baptism on September 3, 1892 at the First Lutheran Church in Galveston, Texas; Vol. II, Page 290, No. 67., by Rev. J. C. Roehm. 

She was Baptized Auguste Wilhelmine Sedonia Drewa, Child of Edward Drewa and his wife Sophia nee Steffens, and born on the 17th of September 1891. This notarized copy was provided to Donie on September 7, 1966 by Rev. Vernon Rabel, 2415 Ave G., Galveston, Texas.  

The following affidavit was also located by R. W. Drewa; THE STATE OF TEXAS: COUNTY OF GALVESTON: BEFORE ME, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for Galveston County Texas,  on this day personally appeared MRS. SEDONIA DREWA CARDER, the widow of PAUL E. CARDER, of the City and County of Galveston, Texas, to me well known, who, being first duly sworn according to law, on oath says:  

I.         FERDINAND STEFFENS, who was also known as FRED STEFFENS, Deceased, was my grandfather and was a doctor, and resided in the City and County of Galveston, Texas, for many years and until his death in about 1875.

II.        FERDINAND STEFFENS, also known as FERD STEFFENS, was my grandfather. My grandmother was   HENRIETTA STEFFENS.

III.     My grandmother, HENRIETTA STEFFENS, died in Galveston on August 23, 1886.

IV.     FERDINAND STEFFENS, also known as FERD STEFFENS, and HENRIETTA STEFFENS had only two children, and they were CHARLES STEFFENS, who died about 1900 or 1901, and SOPHIE

      STEFFENS DREWA, who was my mother. FERDINAND STEFFENS, also known as FERD STEFFENS,

      HENRIETTA STEFFENS had only the two children named, and they adopted no child or children during   their lifetimes.

V.       My grandmother, HENRIETTA STEFFENS, had a son by a prior marriage, HERMAN MYER, but he was not adopted by,  FERDINAND STEFFENS.

VI.      My Mother, SOPHIE STEFFENS DREWA, was born in about 1872, and she was also sometimes known as SOFIA STEFFENS DREWA. My  mother died on June 4, 1948, and my father, ED F. DREWA, died      June 15, 1935.

VII.   I am told that my grandfather was sometimes referred to as FERD STEPHENS; however, his correct name was STEFFENS, and any reference to the name STEPHENS is incorrect. This Affidavit is made solely for the purpose of placing these facts upon the public record.

 EXECUTED this 16th day of January, 1971. /s/ Sedonia Drewa Carder, widow of Paul E. Carder 2701 Avenue O Galveston, Texas 77550

SUBSCRIBED and SWORN TO before me on this 16th day of January, 1971, by the said SEDONIA DREWA CARDER, the widow of Paul E. Carder, to certify which witness my hand and seal of office.  /s/ Ed. J. Harris Notary Public in and for Galveston County, Texas

THE STATE OF TEXAS: COUNTY OF GALVESTON: BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared SEDONIA DREWA CARDER, widow of Paul E. Carder, know to me to be the person who name is subscribed to-the foregoing instrument, and she acknowledged to me that she executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE, this the 16th day of January 1971.

 /s/Ed. J. .Harris Notary Public in and for Galveston County, Texas 

August 8, 1997:

        This document was located in old Galveston Newspaper files this date. The following notice appeared in the Galveston Paper regarding the marriage of Sedonia Drewa and Paul Carder. A pretty wedding was solemnized on Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock at the  German Evangelical Lutheran church when Miss Sedonia Drewa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. F. Drewa and Paul E. Carder were united in marriage, Rev. S. P. Hasskarl, pastor, officiating. The bride wore a traveling suit of royal blue silk poplin with a blouse of silk shadow lace embroidered in gold with hat and accessories to match.  She carried a bouquet of bride roses with white maline streamers. Miss Ester Johnes, in pale pink silk with shadow lace trimmings and carrying a bouquet of bride's roses, was the maid of honor. Bridemaids were Misses Mary Warth and Leoda Walker, who wore gowns of embroidered or gandy over white satin with pale green girdles and carried bouquets of bride's roses.  George Deharde and I. H. Devine were groomsmen and George Golden acted as best man. After the ceremony, Mr and Mrs. Carder left on the 6 o 'clock Missouri, Kansas and Texas train for Denver, Colorado.  After August 1, they will be at home to their friends at 3315 Avenue L. 

September 9, 1997: 

    As I was putting a collection of post cards that Aunt Donie received from 1902 - 1908 and later, I located numerous cards which were sent to Uncle Milton, Edwin, Aunt Donie, Grandma and Grandpa.  Some from Grandma (Wilhelmina Drewa) and Willy ( her son, William Drewa). Aunt Donie must have stayed at times in Shiner, Texas or with trips to Denver, Colorodo area with her parents. She would write her brothers, Milton, Stephen and Edwin postcards from those locations. Also, postcards from her friends (written within Galveston) encouraged her to bring music and sing at one of their girl meetings.  She must have played her piano very well, because more than one person wanted her to play for them. (Her nephew, Vernon H. Drewa, Jr., still has several cases of her early piano sheet music.)   Many of her friend’s parents would come to visit. One big surprise however, is a postcard written to a BERNARD DREWA, signed Grandma  (Wilhelmina Drewa) and Willie.  Dated Dec. 23, 1908. First time I have come across this name.  

    Aunt Donie was 17 at this time. Uncle Edwin was 15, Uncle Milton was 12 and Uncle Stephen was 9. Dad was just a 2 year old. Bernard was living with Grandma and Grandpa. With the signature, identifying herself as Grandma would indicate that it would be ONE of her grand children.  Charles Louis is the only other sibling of Grandpa to have children of his own. The card was addressed:  Master Bernard DrEwa (Drewa is copied exactly as it was written), 2703 Ave. O, City.  2703 is the old address of the Steffens-Drewa homestead. The card is a Christmas card.   However, as of this writing, no additional information has been located regarding Bernard Drewa.) 

          Auguste Wilhelmine Sedonia Drewa and Paul Eugene Carder had the following child:  

               15         i. Infant⁴ Carder was born in Galveston, Texas January 1921.  Infant died January 1921 in Galveston, Texas, at less than one year of age.  Baby Carder March 3, 1993: R. W. Drewa found the following document: Galveston, Texas, Jan 18th, 1921 RECEIVED of Mr. Paul E. Carder #2701-O For opening and closing grave for Infant Carder $4.00. The Lake View Cemetery, Per R. M. Furs This writer has written to Lake View Cemetery and provided $25.00 for their research and providing records of Baby Carder, Maude Bludworth Drewa and Edwin William Drewa, Jr. 

                                 May 10, 1993 Was contacted by Mr. Bill Bond at the Lakeview Cemetery (57th St.) in Galveston. The following information was provided on Infant Carder:  He was interred January 17, 1921 as the son of P.E. Carder in Section E, Block 40, Lot 4 East 1/2.  More information will be sent when their records have finished being computerized.    

          8.  Edward (Edwin) William³ Drewa (Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas March 9, 1893.  Edward died December 30, 1953 in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, at 60 years of age.  was interred in Hitchcock, Texas. 

           He married twice.  married Maude Bludworth in Houston, Harris County, Texas, August 10, 1914.  Maude was born in Springfield, Missouri.  Maudedied March 9, 1922 in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas.  body was interred March 11, 1922 in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas.  

                                                                                                    Maude Bludworth Drewa 

          Maude as noted married Edwin 8-10-1914.  During a large part of this marriage, Edwin was in the Army Air Corps, World War I. Stationed in Mississippi and Ellington Field, Texas.  It was at Ellington Field that he crashed, had serious injuries to his skull. He had a steel plate over one section of his skull for the remainder of his life.  

          They did have a baby boy born in late l921, by the name of Edwin William Jr.  This child died at two months of age, and his mother followed in death several months later. Both are buried adjacent to one another at the Lakeview Cemetery, Galveston, TX off 57th St.   No headstone was located, but records from the cemetery appear erroneous in that Maude is identified as Mrs. Edward Jr. Drewa, March 11,l922 and the baby as Edwin W. Drewa 2 months old. They are interred in Section E, Block 40, Lot 4 East one half, Sec: F. Burial date: Nov 23, l921. Cemetery records state that Maude was buried on Mar 11, 1922.  

        The following are from the Galveston County Genealogy Society Records from Lakeview Cemetery records, Vol. III 1917-1929. Drewa, Maude.  Born: Springfield, Missouri.  Died March 9, 1922. Disease:  By hanging.   Late residence: Galveston, Texas Undertaker:  J. Levy and Bro.     Buried: March 11, 1922. Sec. E, Block #40, Lot E 1/2 of 4, Sec: F. Age 30.  Place of Death:  1704 K, Galveston, Texas. Inquest  by Alex Gomez JP. 

10-28-1997: 

        I have on file school teaching papers from the Clinton, Missouri School District to Miss Nellie Collins, Warrensburg, Missouri.  This was in 1911. In 1920, I have one love letter Nellie wrote to Uncle Edwin.  It is on file with photographs.  She doesn't sign a last name, but mentions that Edwin has expressed his love for her.  They had apparently had a spat while at the beach.  It was however, according to marriage records that Edwin was married to Maude. And only 2 years later, Maude hung herself after their baby died after a short life. Some question now as to whether Ed was married a third time or he was separated from Maude during this time.  I do know that Grandma Drewa said that Uncle Edwin moved back  home with her.  This was shortly before  Grandpa died. /s/ Vernon H. Drewa, ,Jr., Edwin Drewa nephew.

           married Betty Sheehan in Houston, Harris County, Texas, 1925.  Edward occupation: Retired Private Contractor in  Galveston, Texas.   

                                                                                                Edwin William Drewa  

          Edwins closest friend was Robert (Bob) Scholes, for which the City Airport in Galveston, Texas is named.  He and t Bob Scholes while in the Army and they became life long friends. The airport in Galveston later was named Scholes Field in his honor.

          Edwin had numerous strokes prior to his demise, and remained hospitalized for ten months prior to his death . 

12-30-53. (Maude and Edwin Jr.,  are interned in Lakeview Cemetery, Section E, Block 40, Lot 4, East one half.) The following is documented in Galveston Probate minutes, book 153, page 307 and Probate minutes, Book 187, page 163: Edwin W. Drewas will dated January 12, 1954 left all his property, including his share in the Drewa homestead, a one quarter interest, to his sister-in-law Catherine Drewa and her children and his friends Alma and Robert Scholes.  Paul E. Carder and Robert Scholes petitioned the court to have Edwin declared a person of unsound mind and the court declared him N.C.M. April 22, 1953, Book 187, pages 121-3.  

          Edward (Edwin) William Drewa and Maude Bludworth had the following child:  

               16         i. Edwin William⁴ Drewa, Jr. was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas September 1921.  Edwin died November 20, 1921 in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, at less than one year of age.  was interred November 23, 1921 in Lakeview Cemetery, Galveston, Galveston County, Texas.  Edwin William Drewa, Jr. This child was 2 months old when he passed away.  He is interred with his mother, Mrs. Edwin W. (Maude Bludworth) at the Lakeview Cemetery in Galveston near 57th St. Researcher contacted cemetery office and they will provide what information they have.  Researcher visited cemetery and no headstones are visible. Maude passed away shortly after the death of her son and is buried next to him.  Please refer to her file. Ed. Jr. as it appears in some records actually died on November 20, 1921 and was buried on Nov 23, 1921.  It is odd, that in my 62 years, not my parents, nor anyone ever mentioned knowing about his marriage or his baby. My daughter, Kristi Drewa Lucas and I learned about it by accident in Jan 1990 by reviewing some old  city records at the City Park on 27th St near the seawall.  We then researched the cemetery (during rain) and found the burial plot.  They did not have any type of markers.   

          9.  George Carl Milton³ Drewa (Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas May 5, 1896.  Milton was murdered July 29, 1942 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at 46 years of age.  was interred in Hitchcock, Texas.   

          He married three times.  He married Ruth F. Seelhorst in Houston, Harris County, Texas, June 27, 1914.  He married Catherine Elizabeth Pautsch in Houston, Harris County, Texas, January 1, 1920.  Catherine was born in Galveston, Texas  September 26, 1900.  died 1986 in Houston, Harris County, at 85 years of age.  Catherine was cremated and her ashes scattered adjacent to Miltons grave site in Hitchcock, Texas.

         Aunt Catherine was to this researcher and his family, a lady we loved and looked forward to seeing and visiting. My wife, children and I got to eat and visit with Aunt Catherine whenever we went to Houston in 1959 thru 1961.  We were living in Bellville, Texas at that time and my Boss was at the University of Houston, so we came frequently. Mother and dad always thought the world of Aunt Catherine, though dad would not let his feelings toward her be known, because he was afraid of the consequences he might feel from some in his family.  If only he had known how much his brother Edwin thought of Catherine.  I really think his sister, Donnie loved them also, but afraid to show the emotion.....why... heaven knows. One extra burial plot remains at the Ed. F. Drewa family plot in Hitchcock, Texas.  Since dad would never use it and was eventually interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Ft. Worth, my cousin Merle wanted dad to let Catherine be buried next to her husband in the family plot. Dad told me many times that she could. He even asked that I go by and give his permission to the cemetery, which I did. I don't know  why he didn’t communicate that permission to either Merle or Mildred personally. .  I know he loved both my cousins dearly. He, and Mother. spoke of how ugly Catherine, Merle and Mildred were treated at Galveston. And again, only heaven knows why. After Aunt Catherine passed away, Merle and Mildred did bury their mother's ashes adjacent to Uncle Milton's grave in Hitchcock.  My remembrances of Aunt  Catherine were as a child in 1932-33. Then later in the 1960-1961 time frame, we were to visit.   I  have photographs of Merle and Mildred holding me in 1930-31, and since they were nine years my senior, I suspect they were told my our grandparents to keep track of us and then later my brother. /s/ Vernon H. Drewa, Jr. 

           I remember when I was in Jr. High and Senior High School dropping Spanish classes and taking German, so I could listen in on the dinner conversations when we were in Galveston. Since our Grandparents, Aunt and Uncles spoke in German when they didn’t want us to know what they were addressing. Merle and Mildred should able to add to these areas since they were 9-10, and 11.

          He married Laura May Wilson 1940. 

          Milton’s occupation: President/CEO,  Congress Candy Company , Houston, Texas.

           George Carl Milton Drewa and Ruth F. Seelhorst had the following child:

                17         i. Marion Ruth⁴ Drewa was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas on (birth date unknown).  Marion Ruth and her parents were residing at 2614 Ave. P., Galveston, Texas when her parents divorced. November 2000: Marion is deceased and believed to be interred in Beaumont, Texas.

          George Carl Milton Drewa and Laura May Wilson had the following child:  

               18        ii. Mary Grace was born on (birth date unknown).  Maryas  Milton’s step-child, and was never adopted by him.   Mary Grace was the daughter of Laura Mae, who was Milton Drewa's third wife. She was married to him at the time of his murder and became a prime suspect in the case.  She married an Air Force Lt.Col.,  from Houston soon after Milton's death and moved to Dallas.  She was later subpoenaed to appear for the second time before the Houston, Texas Grand Jury.  No indictment was ever returned. I could find no legal documents that she was ever legally adopted by Milton. It is known however that Marion Ruth Drewa ( She was the Daughter of  Ruth Seelhorst, who was Milton's first wife. She carried the Drewa name and is buried in Beaumont, Texas.) an along with Laura Mae conspired  to do what they could to see that Merle and Mildred received nothing from their fathers estate.  Milton did have a will, but the original was never located.  Milton had told Edwin and Vernon Drewa some 6-8 months before his murder that his will was kept in a large safe at the Congress Candy Factory ( which he owned ).    

          George Carl Milton Drewa and Catherine Elizabeth Pautsch had the following children:  

    +        19       iii. Merle Constance Drewa was born July 6, 1921.

    +        20       iv. Mildred Catherine Drewa was born July 6, 1921.   

          10.  Steffen Adolphos³ Drewa (Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas January 22, 1899.  Steffen died April 15, 1968 in Tyler, Texas at 69 years of age.   was interred in Tyler, Texas.   

          He married twice.  He married Mary Elizabeth Davis in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas.  was born in Georgia January 28, 1908.  Mary died October 31, 1987 in Jacksonville, Fl., at 79 years of age.  was interred in Tyler, Texas, next to her husband, Steffen A. Drewa.  

          He married Aline C. Anderson in Houston, Harris County, Texas, March 22, 1922.  was born March 23, 1900. Steffen and Aline were divorced prior to 1931.  Aline died December 21, 1969 in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, at 69 years of age.  was interred in Galveston, Texas.  Aline is buried in Oleander Cemetery, adjacent Broadway Ave. in Galveston, Tx., next to her son, Steffen, Jr. No marriage or divorce records have been researched.  Aline was the ex-wife of Steffen A. Drewa.  

          Steffen occupation: Retired  Southern Pacific Railroad, Tyler, Texas. 

Steffen was divorced from Aline C. Anderson in Houston, Harris County, Texas. 

 Steffen Adolphos Drewa Steffen was married to his first wife, Aline C. Drewa (03-23-1900,  12-21-1969), which conceived a son, Steffen Adolphos (Steve) Drewa, Jr., (1923-1945). Steve and his mother are buried next to one another in Oleander Park on Broadway in Galveston. Exact year this marriage was dissolved is not known. Steve was home on leave from the Navy after being in several major battles, but was critically injured in an automobile accident on the west beach after being home less than 24 hours.  He died shortly after in the Texas Medical Center. His tombstone does not have specific dates of his life, but only the years annotated. He was twenty one years of age at his death.  

          Steffen  Jr. is interned in Oleander Cemetery, adjacent Broadway next to his mother, Aline.  In January l991 while Vernon H. Drewa, Jr., and his daughter Kristi L. Drewa Lucas were in Galveston, they discovered someone was putting flowers on Steve and Alines graves.  We left a note in a sealed bag asking whoever it was to please contact me. 

 As of 4-21-91 no response received. Steve died after he was home on leave less than 49 hours from the navy, where he had been in three major naval engagements and survived without injury. He was critically injured while speeding along the west beach and died shortly after in the Texas Medical Center.  He was 22 years of age.

          Steffens death date has been verified by the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics. Record of deaths 1941 thru 1945, document number 1911. 

 The following obituary was located in the Galveston newspaper dated Jan 13, 1945: 

                                                                                MILITARY RITES FOR SAILOR TO BE HELD TODAY  

          Military rites for Steffen A. Drewa, Jr., 21-year-old Galveston Boatswain Mate, USN, who was fatally injured in an automobile accident just west of the city limits on the beach front Wednesday morning. Services will be held at ll:30 o’clock this morning at the Levy funeral home.  

          Chaplain H. F. Maxwell of the Coast Guard lifeboat station will officiate at the services.  Interment will be in Oleander Cemetery. 

          Drewa died at John Sealy Hospital Thursday morning, 49 hours after he arrived in Galveston to spend his first leave in 18 months.  He fought in five major Southwest Pacific battles. He is survived by his parents, Mrs. Aline Drewa of Galveston and Steffen Drewa, Sr. of Temple, Texas: grandparents, Mrs. E. F. Drewa and Mrs. C. A. Anderson, both of Galveston, and other relatives.   Steve’s headstone is annotated only with the years of his life, i.e. from 1923-1945.  He was home on leave from the Navy less than 24 hours when he had an automobile accident on the west beach at Galveston and was critically injured.  He died a short time later.  He would have been the half brother to  Marcus, Kenneth and Shirley Drewa.         

  Steffen Adolphos Drewa and Aline C. Anderson had the following child:  

            21     i. Steffen Adolphos  Drewa, Jr. was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas 1923.  Steffen died January 11, 1945 in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, at 21 years of age.  Steffen occupation: U.S. Navy.  . Steffen  Jr. is interred in Oleander Cemetery, adjacent Broadway next to his mother, Aline.   

September 21, 1992: 

Researcher has located photograph of S. A. Drewa, Jr's.,  wrecked automobile and Galveston Newspaper account.

                                                       SAILOR INJURED AS CAR TURNS OVER ON BEACH 

       S. A. Drewa, sailor of 1225 B, is in serious condition in John Sealy Hospital where he was brought in an unconscious condition early this morning after the automobile he was driving overturned after hitting a rut on West Beach, Sheriff Frank L. Biaggne reported. Drewa's woman companion at the time, Jeanette Hayles, 3916 P, was not believed to have been seriously injured although the accident knocked her unconscious. She was being detained at the hospital for further checkup, including taking of X-ray pictures, it was reported. Drewa, who is home on leave, was reported by Deputy Sheriff Eddie Wichlep, who investigated, to have attempted to pass another car when the mishap occurred with his car overturning once and coming to rest on its side. The driver of the automobile Drewa was said to have attempted to pass brought him and his companion to the hospital. The accident occurred about 1 o'clock this morning about one mile west of 61st. Wichlep said. Drewa, 21 a boatswain's mate, arrived in Galveston at 1:30 o'- clock Tuesday morning on a leave of absence after spending 21 months at sea. He is thought to have a fractured skull and possibly internal injuries. He was semi-conscious at noon when it was reported his condition is critical. The young seaman attended Stephen F. Austin Junior High School and Ball High School here and before entering the service was employed at the Todd-Galveston Dry Dock. His mother, Mrs. Aline Drewa, resides at 1225 B.    

          Steffen Adolphos Drewa and Mary Elizabeth Davis had the following children:  

    +        22        ii. Marcus Egbert Drewa was born September 7, 1931.

    +        23       iii. Kenneth Steffen Drewa was born September 4, 1932.

    +        24       iv. Shirley Ann Drewa was born May 22, 1936.   

          11.  Vernon Henry³ Drewa (Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas September 16, 1906.  Vernon died September 1, 1988 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, at 81 years of age.    was interred October 5, 1988 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County., Texas.   

          He married Juanita Maxine Shropshire in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, April 5, 1927.  was born in Gainsville, Cooke Co., Texas June 13, 1906.  Juanita was the daughter of Samuel Garfield Shropshire and Audrey Stella Rush .  Juanita died October 8, 1994 at Forrest Ridge Nursing Home, in Bedford, Tarrant Co., Texas, at 88 years of age.    was interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Ft. Worth, Texas.  Juanita Maxine Shropshire Drewa and  Vernon  were married at the Swiss Avenue Lutheran Church, Dallas, Texas, April 5, 1927 

          Vernon occupation: Retired Santa Fe Railroad Communications Manager, Ft. Worth Texas. 

Galveston, Texas Masonic records revealed  that Vernon belonged to the Masonic organization for young men called; DeMolay. Maxine  gave Vernon a watch fob with the Demolay emblem on it for his birthday, September 15, 1926.  

          Vernon Henry Drewaand Juanita Maxine Shropshire had the following children:  

    +        25         i. Vernon Henry⁴ Drewa, Jr. was born January 17, 1930.

    +        26        ii. Robert Wayne Drewa was born April 28, 1932.   

          12.  Louis Herman³ Drewa (Charles Louis², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas August 6, 1905.  Louis died May 19, 1992 at 86 years of age.   

          He married twice.  He married Margaret Ruth Hooks .  Margaret was born in Hillsboro, Tx. June 22, 1911.  Margaret was the daughter of Lee Webster Hooks and Jessie Gay Norris .  died November 11, 1951 in San Antonio, Texas., at 40 years of age.  

          He married Daisy Ladell .  Daisy was born in Humble, Texas August 26, 1916.   

          Louis occupation: Retired, Grocery Store Business.  

          The following was written from a recorded tape by this researcher. Though the information is accurate, punctuation etc may be missing. It was transcribed as Louis Drewa spoke. I personally feel this is an outstanding view of a loving father/son and the hard lives our ancestors experienced during the late 1800's and life in the early 1900's. I am deeply grateful to Richard Drewa (The youngest of Louis Drewa's children) for sharing these anecdotes with the rest of the Drewa family. Anecdotes of Louis Herman Drewa on his 78th Birthday August 6, 1983 as recorded by his son, Richard Drewa of San Antonio, Texas. Louis was born on August 6, 1905 in Galveston, Texas.  He was delivered by a midwife.          

          Galveston is an island surrounded by water 30 miles long and 8 miles wide. I was born in a house on 14th street between Ave. K and L. I can't remember the address (Note: Will be in the 1906 Galveston Phone Directory.).                         

          After we left there.  Oh' by the way, my mothers mother was a midwife and she delivered me at this house and then we went over and stayed at her house for awhile.  Then we moved to 12th and K in a Commissary House ( Note:  These were homes built for breeze, where you could open the front door and look out the back.  They are known today as shotgun houses.) built after the 1900 storm.    

          In 1908, the Hooks family was living next to us. I remember Mrs. Hooks coming to the window and showing us her daughter, "Ruby Lee". She showed her to mother and me. In 1910, I was 5 years old, I saw Haley's comet.  My mother got me out of bed and brought me out on the porch.  

          After we left 12th and Avenue K, we moved to 1309 Avenue L.  In 1909 we went to a ball game in Beaumont. Mother Dad and I.  We saw the ballgame and then it poured down rain.  It rained so hard and the waterways so high, we hired a hack ( Note:  Taxi in today's language. ) to take us back to the railroad station, so we could take the G and I railroad back to Galveston. When we got to Point Boliver (Note: This is the nearest point of land to Galveston approaching from the East.) the water was so high and rough they couldn't put the train on the barge to take us back to Galveston.  

          We stayed at Point Boliver overnight.  It happened my mother had bought a lunch at a drugstore. We ate that and then next morning we returned to Galveston.  

          In 1910, my brother was born.  I remember a few years after that my Aunt Nole came to visit us at Christmas.  We had the Christmas lights burning. In those years we had to use candles.  Ant then my Aunt Nole said "I'm going to leave now", and we walked over to the streetcar corner on 13th and L so she could go back to the depot to catch a train to go to Dallas.  When mother and I got back to the house the whole tree was in flames and we ran and got pans of water and threw on the tree.  The house didn't catch on fire, so we were lucky . 

          After 1309 we moved to 15th and M where my mothers mother and father lived. They had  bought a home in Hitchcock so they had moved out of the 15th and M house.  We lived at 15th and M and my dad enlisted in the war in 1917.   He went to Newport News, Virginia and then over to France.  He was over their two years and while he was gone we moved on up to Hitchcock and they rented a house at 1501 M.           

          So we lived at my mothers mother in Hitchcock and then my Uncle Charlie was called into service. He was sent to Camp Mayberry in Austin, Texas in WW I.           We raised a garden and my Grandmother had a cow we milked. I would go to packing houses where they packed the vegetables and get the culls of the different kinds of vegetables and put them in my little red wagon and bring them home.  Also, I carried water from over by the depot where they had a spigot. This was good water.  We couldn't drink water at home in Hitchcock because it was full of oil. However; we did put the washtub in the kitchen and heated the water and took our baths in the washtub. Everybody had to get out of the kitchen while anyone took their bath in the washtub.  

          Then my dad came back from France in April 1919, so then he had $600.00 in a shoe where he had saved it while in France. He told my mother he would like to go to California because they were putting in fruit orchids and vegetable farms and there was good promise of work and maybe ownership of these orchids.  But my mother didn't want to leave her mother and she said "no we're not going to do that". So my father said he would have to go work on the docks in Galveston and so we moved back to Galveston to a house at 509 13th street where we lived and my dad was working on the docks which was just a short distance from where we lived (Note: In the mid 1980's this area was destroyed for enlargement of the University of Texas Medical School.).  

          And just before we left Hitchcock, I delivered 125 newspapers and got $1.50 per month and cleaned an ice cream parlor and got .25 cents a day.  Then I took that money and bought food stamps while my dad was overseas in WWI.      Then, when we got to Galveston, I got a paper route and started delivering the morning paper. (Note: On the recorder, Richard is asking: Regarding your name. Who were you named after?)  

          My name is Louis Herman.  I was named after my father Charles Louis and my mothers dad, Herman T. I was named after my dad, Charles Louis and my grandfathers name was Herman Slousen (Note: Last name spelling could be incorrect.)  and so my middle name is Herman.  

          Going back to 509 13th where I delivered newspapers, I raised pigeons and rabbits.  And I put a little workshop under the house in 1919 where I built a radio out of an oatmeal box wound with copper wire with a crystal and earphones. This is where I heard my first radio station. I saw my first airplane in 1911. While we were living on 15th and M the folks next door got a telephone. They asked us to come over to listen to a relative talk on the telephone in 1914.  This was my first experience in using the telephone. While my dad was working at the docks, he slipped and fell in a ships hold.  A rung had come out of the ladder he was on.  He fell and damaged his legs pretty bad and was confined to a hospital for 2 to 3years. Then I went to work for Grass Feed Company.  I worked for them for six years, until I got employment with the Santa Fe railroad in 1925. From 509 13th street we moved to 1012 36th street. We rented that house.  My dad collected $2000.00 from the insurance company on his leg injuries. We took that and bought a lot on the ballpark.  I just want to mention that in 1917 before my dad went into service, he was a grounds keeper at the ballpark. And I went with him as much as I could putting in grass and scraping ground and selling peanuts and popcorn in the grandstand and I also swept the grandstand. And we took the players uniforms home and washed  them and I got acquainted with many of the players of the Galveston team of the Texas League. I have some balls that were autographed by the different players. That was quite an experience. When they moved the ballpark, the 1915 Hurricane did damage some of the ballpark.  They repaired it, but then they wanted to move it and when they decided to build homes on the old ballpark, dad bought a lot over the pitchers box and  home plate. That was the highest place on the ballpark of course because the pitchers part is 3 feet higher than the outfield.  The water drains off real good that way. I continued working for the Santa Fe until 1932 when they transferred the office to Topeka, Kansas.  They started consolidating all the offices with the General Office of the GC & SF (Note: Gulf Colorado and Santa Fe.) in Galveston to Topeka. We were the first ones to go. I lived in Topeka until 1944. Back in 1929 when Mr. and Mrs. Hooks brought their two daughters over to Galveston for a vacation, their daughter Ruth (Note: Ruth not very discernible) was on a vacation from her work but she stayed with us for a week.  And we had such a lovely time, going to the beach.  I fell in love with her.  So we corresponded with her after she went back home. After I moved to Topeka in 1932, we still corresponded, but in 1934 I went to San Antonio where she lived with her family and gave her an engagement ring. We married on April 21, 1934. (Note: Richard interrupts and asks his dad if he had anything else to tell about his home town as a child?  What it was like back then!) I remember so well but they grade raised the island because they started building the sea wall in 1902 and the sea wall is 17 feet high and 8 feet across the top and 14 feet across the bottom, sitting on pilings. (Note: Researcher obtained photographs of Herman's mention of this sea wall and also view of Galveston about 5 blocks south of the existing sea wall, where housing was located. We will attempt to make copies for everyone, but if they do not come out well and you would like an individual copy, please write me at: 1120 Oak Bend Lane, Keller, Texas 76248.)  Outside the sea wall they brought granite from Granite Shoals, Texas on railroad flat cars to Galveston. They had a small engine with small cars on top of the sea wall and brought the granite from the siding where the large cars where. They unloaded the small cars and then dropped the rock over the side of sea wall to build a solid rock base, where it broke up on the outside of the sea wall.  When the waves swept in they wouldn't undermine the sea wall and the sand would gradually build up and of course the grade raise in back of the sea wall up 17 feet (Note: The 17 feet was only at the sea wall, the remainder of the island was filled from 6 to 9 feet. Please refer to Ed. F. Drewa write up.). Then a brick boulevard was built on top of that with walks on each side.  It think it was ten feet out from the sea wall and 10 feet on the other side. My Uncle Eddie (Edward Frederick-researchers grandfather) was a cement contractor and after the 1915 storm, water had washed out quite a bit of the boulevard, washed the bricks and sand behind the sea wall down to the base.  It had washed so badly you could see the pilings where the sea wall was originally built. So after the 1915 storm and it had done all that damage they decided to put 18 foot pilings in of the other side of the boulevard (Note: This was on the north side.). So that when the water would wash up on the boulevard, it would sweep on across and onto the other pilings. Hoping it wouldn't wash out the boulevard again.  That was quite a job for him.  The sea wall was from 6th street to 39th street. 39th street was the beginning of Fort Crockett.  Then they extended it on from 39th street to 61st street. When they were grade raising the island they would do it a section at a time.  They had the dredge boats on the other side of the Galveston Harbor. When they dredged this, they ran the water and mud through a pipeline from this section where they were dredging and this pipeline would run right on into the island and they would fill the different sections at a time. For these homes to  come out ahead on that deal they had to  raise these homes up 12 feet.  Some 14 feet and put them on pilings and they had walkways from the homes out to the other side of the dike where they were filling. That's how people got to and from their homes during the regrading of Galveston Island.  And when they got to a point where they were raising the downtown section, the Trinity Episcopal Church had to be raised (Note:  In 1990, I was told by the City Manager that the four story, brick Episcopal Church adjacent to the First Lutheran (where many Drewa records were located) was raised the entire height by a German engineer without dislocating one brick. The Lutheran congregation elected not to have their church raised, so the basement etc was just back filled with sand.). Mr. John Eggard was the contractor and that was quite a deal. It was known worldwide what he did with this huge church which was all brick.  he would put the cross-ties down which were 6 X 6s and 8 X 8s 4 feet long and crossed them and put the "turn screws" and jacks on top of the cross-ties.  I don't know how many hundred of these were all around and under the church while they had dug under to put these things to start raising the church.  And of course the men had to be synchronized to the turning of the screws (Note: Heavy equipment type screw jacks.  Still used today.) where they would be turned 2 revolutions go to the next one and turn 2 revolutions.  And that way, the whole church was gradually raised 6 feet up and not a wall was cracked.  Which was a masterful deal to do and that is why it was known world wide how they raised it without cracking it one time. Of course after it was raised they put the regular foundation of brick and concrete down and pulled the jack structures out one at a time. And then after they had it all set, they started filling it with silt from the dredge boats and that the way the island was filled. If you go around some of the older homes in Galveston.  Some of the old mansions that were built before 1900 storm you will see where they filled up to the windows, because people couldn't afford to raise the dwelling. You drive around Galveston, you will find these different places that are still remembrances of the great job of grade raising. The area where the people lived and downtown of Galveston Island. (Note: Richard mentioned:  It must have been quite a project.) Louis said, " I always remember the little trains that use to run up and down the Galveston wharf's.  Galveston was the leading cotton port in the world in 1919 after WWI.  They're were 110 ocean going steamships docked in Galveston waiting to be loaded with cotton, corn, wheat, food items of all kinds en root to Europe.  Of course they all couldn't dock at a pier because their was just 39 piers in Galveston. Sometimes their would be three ships tied together (abreast) at a dock. Then 1940, Houston decided they wanted to deepen Buffalo Bayou. The U.S. Government appropriated two million five hundred thousand dollars and Houston is now one of the worlds leading seaports. Galveston is now just a small port.  Galveston at one time use to be the "Strand" of Wall Street (Note: It was the largest merchandising, industrial and investment city in the U.S. outside New York City.). Of course that was before the 1900 Hurricane.  As of  now, they are renovating many of the old buildings along the "Strand" Street.  They have renovated the old Santa Fe building and made it a museum now.  So all that area has been worked over pretty well.  Around Christmas time, 2nd or 3rd of December they have Charles Dickens plays and people put their old costumes on and do things as years gone by.  This is quite an attraction for Galveston and the "Strand". When I was working for the Bradstreet Company in 1919 I got acquainted with so many of the leading business people along the Strand which was booming in those years from 1919 to about 1925. Richard:  Now that we've talked about Dad's hometown and some of those things that happened; we would like to talk about Dad's life around his home, his memories there and possible about some things he missed of it. Richard:  Can you describe your own home? Louis:  We lived at 1309 L street. Mother and Dad bought a white horse and a buggy and later a surrey and then we moved to 15th and M. My Dad built a stable for the horse and we enjoyed going riding, especially down the boulevard with the horse, surrey and buggy.  And of course we would go downtown to get the groceries. My grandfather was with the Galveston Fire Department (Editor: Assume this is on Louis Mothers side.).  He was there 37 years before he passed away with cancer of the throat.  And as he started getting his cancer condition, we would take him to the doctor with the horse and buggy. The doctor's name was Sizzenstricther (pronounced: size-en-sticher). He did all he could for my grandfather. He finally had to go to the hospital to have the operation, but he lived only two weeks after that. He caught pneumonia and passed away. That was in 1917.  I always remember going over to my Dad's mothers house and then one Christmas she gave me a fire engine.  That was a little four wheel deal with two ladders on each side and a seat up front where I sat and my Dad would pull me on the sidewalk.  That was more fun and I always enjoyed that because my grandfather was with the Galveston Fire Department. We lived quite away from my Aunt Minnie (Drewa) and I'd get on my little 3-wheel tricycle and go down the boulevard from 15th and M to 3215 Ave. P where my Aunt Minnie and Uncle Hans lived.  There name was Masus and she always had coffee cake which I enjoyed so. When we visited with her, I would get under the dinning room table and play trains with dominoes. It seemed like this train thing was quite a thing with me, because when we moved to Hitchcock and the train was just a block and a half from us, and it was the Santa Fe main line. The trains would go through and I would take the engine number, copy the car numbers going bye and the caboose number. So then it was hard to believe that later on I wound up working with the Railroad. When we lived in Galveston after my Dad came back, we always made it a point to go to Hitchcock to visit my grandmother and my Aunt and Uncle that lived there with her at that time.  She always had my favorite cake or pie for me. Richard:  What was your favorite cake? Louis:  Chocolate with white icing. Lemon Pie-I always enjoyed that. Then after my grandmother passed away my aunt Agnes took over and had those favorites for me when we went to visit. My Uncle Charlie always like to go to a moving picture show. He would come to Galveston and we would go to a movie together.  He was an electrician and car mechanic in Hitchcock.  And talking about my Aunt Agnes, she met a man who came back from WWI in April 1919 and his name was Ralph Emery and they got married.  They had two children, named Louise and R.W. Jr. Richard: Can you tell me a little bit about your home life and what you miss about it? Louis?  My home life living at home with my mother and dad was really outstanding.  We all seemed to get along fine. Mother always had such wonderful food.  She was a gourmet cook.  There was my brother Robert and sister, Elizabeth.  The 3 children lived together until my sister passed away and my brother went into the U.S. Marine Corps.        

           Richard:  Can you tell me more about what life was like growing up? Louis: My life was always occupied.  I loved to play baseball and I played "mumble-peg" with my knife and marbles on the sidewalk. The sidewalk was dirt. I had a hoop made out of a barrel loop and I took a stay from the barrel and rolled that up and down the sidewalk and later on my Uncle gave me a bicycle frame, so I put two small wheels on it and rode that up and down the sidewalk. That was Uncle Charlie. He had a bicycle shop.  I had more fun playing with things like that. Also spinning tops.  We had 3 or 4 boys in the neighborhood that was real good about spinning tops.  And of course you try to throw your top down on top of the other to split it open. That was part of the game of playing tops. Ralph Himple who had a sister named Mildred Himple lived on 15th and Ave. M, where we ran a wire house to house and use to send messages back and forth. And then when we lived at 509 13th I had a real good friend who lived across the street.  His dad was a tin-smith.  I was really interested in making things.  I wanted to craft tin.  So he showed me how to heat a solder iron.  I soldered tin together out of scrap tin he gave me and made a pontoon.  Used it for a float when we went to the Gulf. His name was Wilfred.  We'd go out on the beach in the old Model-T touring car that his mother and dad had.  What I mean is, his family would invite me and we would go down the Island to the 9 Mile post or 5 Mile post. Their was a big hole there cut in the Gulf by the Hurricane and that is where I learned to swim.  And we'd go fishing out on the beach and swimming and we would have our campfire out on the beach which I enjoyed so much.  Then, later on his Dad got a cabin down at "Typhoon Point" and he had a 12 foot skiff. Wilfred and I would go out to this reef in the middle of the bay and fish.  Go down on Saturday and come back on Sunday.  One night a strong north wind came up and we had to get off that reef because the water was getting high and water was sweeping over the reef.  So we got into the skiff. He was on one ore and I was on the other.  And we really had a time fighting wind and waves to get back to Galveston Island. Sometimes the wind would swing the boat sideways.  Sometimes we didn't know if we would make it or not. It was pitch dark. But we had lights on "Dryfus Point" that we went by.  We rowed to those lights and we made it and survived.  I'll never forget that experience. I was still with the Bradstreet Company in 1923 and joined the U.S. Navy Reserve.  We made in my 8 years with the Reserves trips to Pensacola, Key West, 4 to Havana, Cuba, which was quite an experience. We were coming back from Havana,  Key West and heading for New Orleans when we got off at "Dry Tortugas Island" and a Hurricane hit.  The swells  were 45 to 65 feet high and we were on what they called an Eagle Boat.  They made them to guard U.S. Shores during WWI.  The one I was on was No. 36 and I believe 90 feet long. We got between those swells one time and we rolled 45 degrees and the dishes came out of the bins and the guys in bunks fell to the decks.  It was fortunate we didn't capsize.  We thought sure we were gone.  The water got into the boilers and we couldn't operate.  We put our sea anchor out to keep our bow into the swells so that she wouldn't roll so much. The sea anchor is a piece of canvas (cone shaped-size depending on the size of boat or ship) 40-50 inches in diameter.  That held the bow of the boat until wind subsided.  We radioed in for help.  And you would be surprised how many ocean going steamships went by us and ignored us and kept going. We had out distress flags flying, with the U.S. flag on back (stern) and the Union Jack on top and our distress flags flying (on main mast) and they went right on by us.  Finally one did stop and he said our messages are not coming through.  Your radio isn't working, but we will call into Key West Navy Yard and let them know about your trouble out here.  The ships spoke to one another through megaphones.  Then I guess within 24 or 36 hours we got assistance from Key West. And of course the first thing they did was run fresh water to drink to us. We had drunk all the fresh water from the life boats.  Then after they got the water hose back in they got tow lines on us and towed us back to Key West.  That was quite an experience.  I have a write up from the Galveston Paper about the Eagle Boat missing. Family Living: I don't believe I mentioned about losing my Dad's father in the 1900 Hurricane.  My mother and Dad married in 1902.  One of the outstanding things of the family living were the get together. Quite often to have dinners and get to-gathers.  I always got together with my mother and father and made the fruit salad.  Pealed the grapes and got the seeds out. Of course, they had street cars in Galveston. Which we would use to go where ever the families were having there get to gathers. We thought it so nice families could get together that way.  Seems like life in those days was not so pressing. You always had time to do things. The weather in  Galveston was always seasonable at times. That made living down there much better. The year I bought the new bicycle, was while I was working at Bradstreet Company. It was one of the highest priced.  It was called the "Dayton" bicycle and its rims were made of steel and was priced at $75.00.  I had that bike for about a year and a half. Then I went to Havana with the Navy and I let my brother have that bike so he could work that job while I was gone. So when I came back he told me the story.  He left it outside the United States National Bank while he made a delivery and he forgot  to lock it. Someone stole it. So there goes my Dayton bike. It was quite interesting when I worked for the Bradstreet Company and made deliveries along the waterfront and see the snapper boats come in from the Tampico banks. They were sail boats and were loaded with snappers. I would stop for awhile and watch them unload and be iced down and put in crates. Richard:  Tell me something Dad; how did you ever settle that situation with your brother?  How did he settle it? Louis:  I didn't press the deal any. Just figured it was an unfortunate thing that happened and later on I bought another bicycle. Later on, when he got a job with American Indemnity Company, he bought a bike.  But I never did have a bike like the Dayton.  It had so many features such as a horn and lights. It was something different you know.  One time when I went to deliver the paper at 19th and Post Office, the water was starting to rise from the Gulf due to a small Hurricane.  So by the time I got to the newspaper office, the water was about 3 feet deep. I asked, what are we going to do about the paper. He said we were going to leave them. We can't deliver in this kind of weather. So I went on back home and told mother.  She wanted to see the high water downtown, so we started walking. We went to the shopping center section of downtown Galveston. Water was up over the curb going into stores. And shortly after it started subsiding.  And talking about water, my Dad was telling me about going out to the home at 12th and M.  The 1900 Hurricane was coming in and of course they didn't have the sea wall started until 1902.  The water was up and into the house and my dad told his father, " I'm going to take you and mother to this strong brick building where we can get on the 2nd floor and out of this water.  My Dads father wouldn't do that. He said "I was here before this Hurricane and I'll be here now.  I just want you to help me put this piano up on these chairs to get it out of this water".  So Dad and his Dad put the piano up and Dad kept insisting that he go with them.  He took his mother and saved there lives and the next morning their was nothing left of the home, but debris.  All the homes had been swept away. My Dad told me the story and told me about his sister and her husband. With his two brothers Harry and Willie, they were in there home at 3215 P.  Where they got their horse and brought it inside and chopped holes in the floor where water could come in.  It still floated a number of blocks down toward the bay, but it didn't turn over.  They stood in the windows hanging by their hands to get out of the water. The horse was in the same room with its head above the water and all our and the horse survived.  My grandfather was at the Fire Engine House on 16th and K in Galveston and the Erharts lived at 18th and K. My grandfather and grandmother were such good friends with the Erhart's and they were living around the corner from them.  They told them to come over to their house.  So my grandparents chopped holes in the floor of the Erhart's house and it floated about 8 or 10 blocks. So all the family and Erhart's survived that way.  Eight thousand people lost their lives in the 1900 Hurricane. The water swept across from the bay and Gulf and with the winds at 135 MPH.  Just before my mother passed away, we went to see Louise Erhart.  She was the youngest of the family and the only one still living. We were visiting with her and told her about my father chopping holes in the floors. We pulled back her carpets and saw were the places had been mended with new flooring where my father had chopped holes in the floor. That was quite an experience for me, getting to see what my grandfather had done to save these people. My grandfather was such a great wonder.  He made kites for me, because he had quite a knack with wood.  He would make tables and inlay wood in them, in different shapes and forms.  He also made lap boards for all the women folks of the family. A lap board would lay on your lap and you could do your crocheting whatever you wanted to do sitting at a table (Editor: Believe he meant "to do whatever you wanted without sitting at a table"). That's why they were called lap boards. I always got on my 3 wheel tricycle to go down and see my grandpa at the fire house, because he was on duty 24 hours a day.  He only got one day off a month. He made a salary of $75.00 a month. And as I said before, he worked 37 years for the Galveston Fire Department when he passed away.  His first hose cart was two horses pulling the hose cart and then later on they put the steamer in which burned coal to pump the water and they had 3 horses pulling that.  We went to a fire one time and had the experience of being asked if I wanted to get on the back of the fire engine and go back to the station with them.  That was quiet a thrill for me.  Guess I must have been 8 or 9 years old. Then in the 1915 Hurricane, we lived at 15th and M and my mother and brother and I were home alone.  My mother was pregnant with my sister Elizabeth, who was born after the Hurricane. My Dad came home from the fire station and said; get some things together and lets get out of here.  Then the building next door to the fire station was called "The Home for The Homeless".  For the children and it was quite a strong wood frame building.  So, then we went with him and there was lots of water. Water was up to my chest.  At that time I was 10 years old. We waded down to the Home for The Homeless. I remember during the night my mother woke me up and wanted me to come out and see the fires burning throughout the city.  The “O.K”   laundry in downtown Galveston. There were  two large fires, the Okay laundry and a band building-two huge fires.  There was no way to get the Fire Department there. Water was 8-10 feet deep all through there.  Those buildings burned up. I'll never forget that sight. The house on 15th and M street was okay.  It had some roof damage. However, out in the street there was a hole from curb to curb 25 feet deep where the water from the bay and Gulf swirled around and made whirlpools where these deep holes developed and so many houses fell into these holes and deep water.  Some people lost their lives this way. Down at McLoftain on 15th and M & a half, there was a fire hydrant right on the corner in front of the grocery store and there was a big hole that had a horse in it.  They couldn't get the horse out and had to shoot it, and then they put a rope on it and drug it out.  That was pitiful to see that horse destroyed.   But we were lucky the hole was off from the house and the home didn't fall in. Richard:  Dad we've heard some of the 1900's time frame.  Now, can you remember the first family members of the family to settle in this country? Louis:  On my Dad's side-Wilihelmena Schneider (Editor: Correct spelling is on her records and other derivatives.) came over from Germany and Henry Drewa came over from Danzig, Germany (Now Gdansk, Poland)  and they landed in Galveston (Editor:  Please refer to Henry i.e. Herman Franz Drewa  for ship he arrived on and other information.).  In later years they met and married.  That's where the Drewa family got started. Richard: What part of Germany did they come from? Louis: I have that information at home. Richard: What brought them here? Why did they come? Louis:  I can't answer that.  There were so many new beginnings over here.  As everybody knows, it was for the freedom of the United States and that is why they wanted to get away from some of the other countries, such as Italy, France and Germany. They came in the 1840's and 1850's (Editor: Subsequently verified and dates, ships and locations are included here in the Drewa records.). On my mother's side, it was her grandmother and grandfather that came over from Germany.  Their name is "Klausen", but in later years my grandfather didn't like the K and so he changed it to "Clausen" (Editor: A lot of name changing went on.  By the port officials when they couldn't pronounce or spell a foreign name.  Often by the individuals themselves when they couldn't make themselves understood of wanted a simpler name to go by. Researching first names for the Drewa's was difficult in that respect.  For instance, as above:  Henry, Herman, Harry and sometimes Hans were used indiscriminately for one another. Especially in the church records. Translators making entries would write what it sounded like to them.  As I visited the First Episcopal and First Lutheran record vaults, I found this wide spread.  For instance after the 1900 Hurricane, and after some time had lapsed, they had a service for all the victims who had been swept to sea. Their were so many they wrote many names with abbreviations and misspelled a lot.). Richard : So Louise and Hermann were born in the U.S: Louis:  Yes, they were born in the United States.  Their parents came to the U.S. Richard: When did they come over? Louis: I don't know that information.  I just want to mention during the Civil War, my mothers brother, Capt. Busch was Captain of a gun runner in the Gulf of Mexico.  From Louisiana to Texas.  He had a chest on board ship. My mothers mother gave that chest to me which I have at home and that chest has quite a history to it.  In the days of the Civil War. My grandmother always said so many times that I mean that Dean Busch. She is almost sure that the Busch of Anheuser-Busch brewery of  St Louis is related, but they never did dig in to see if their was a relationship with that Busch. Richard: Now that Captain Busch, what did he keep in the chest? Louis:  Personal things, tools things like that. I don't have anything personal from the chest.  I just told my grandmother if she didn't mind, I would like to have that chest, so she put my name on it because when something did happen to her I would have it.  Just like my mother, she had her favorite rocking chair and she asked grandma if she could have that, so she put her name on that rocking chair.  That rocking chair is with Carole (Louis's daughter, living in Lakewood, Colorado.). The old Clausen rocking chair. She has had it reworked. Richard:  Okay, we've been talking about these relatives, but do you know any stories about what life was like for them before they came here? Both sides of the family came from German, do you know if they passed down any stories from the old country? Louis:  No, in my years of being so young that didn't register with me at all. And also, they spoke German and they never did let me learn the German language.  They spoke German so much I never did know what they were talking about; on both sides of the family. Richard: You mentioned Henry Harry Drewa, what did he do for a living? Louis: Henry Drewa went to work on the Galveston docks.  He was a stevedore at the time of the death. Richard:  So then your grandparents on both sides of your parents all born in Galveston! Louis:  I'm sorry, what did he say? Richard: I'm sorry.  Henry Harry Drewa came over from Germany, so did Wilihelmena Schneider.  Now I guess then everyone after them were born in Galveston.  On the other side of the family, Herman and Louise were born in Galveston too. Louis:  Yes. Richard: Do you remember any of the stories your grandparents would tell you about?  What was life like then when they were younger? Louis:  No, I don't remember any of those things. Richard: Do you  know where they were buried? Louis:  My mothers mother and father are buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery at 43rd and Broadway in Galveston.  My dads mother is buried at the Hitchcock Memorial Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas. Just my Dad's mother because they never did find the body of my grandfather. The bodies were just all over.  They were not recognized as anyone because after the 1900 Hurricane, they stacked the bodies up and would burn them (Editor: From the library in Galveston it was learned they tried to bury large numbers of people at sea.  However, the tides caused the bodies to wash up on Galveston beach and other surrounding beaches. Thus, the reason for burning to prevent disease.).  First, they put them on barges and took them out into the Gulf of Mexico, and dumped them overboard.  They floated in and then they stacked them up to burn, as they’re  was six thousand bodies which had to be disposed of. So their was no record of all my grandfathers body.  This is why only Dad's mother is buried in Hitchcock. Richard:  You've mentioned your fathers full name was Charles Louis Drewa. What was you mothers full name? Louis:  Anita Henrietta Clausen Richard:  Where were they brought up? Louis:  They were born in Galveston. Richard:  What were your parents like? Louis: Mother and Dad were very likable people. They both had good personalities.  Dad was always active in doing something.  Then after WWI, they organized the American Legion Post #20.  Mother and Dad were Charter members and of course there were so many activities going on with that and they volunteered and my Dad would sell flag  poles and flags to the merchants in Galveston. And he would drill the holes in the sidewalks in Galveston and put these pipes in the ground and put cement around them. Then the merchants who had purchased the flags and poles previously could come out and put them in the cemented holes on special occasions.  And it was a beautiful sight to see in the downtown on merchant's, Post Office, and Market to see all these flying. I guess for two years after WWI all these businesses had these flags flying.  And all this work was done by my Dad, who volunteered to do that.  And Mother was always active with the American Legion Auxiliary and my father was a great baseball fan.  I remember one time the American Legion was having their Armistice Ball on November 11 which was then called Armistice day. Now it's called Veteran's day. It was in the City Auditorium in Galveston. The ceilings were all open and you could see the steel frame work. They didn't have covered ceilings at that time.  My Dad would get up and climb around hanging the bunting and flags and decorations hanging down from the ceiling. I looked up at his so many times and said " I sure hope he doesn't slip".  Of course he had a lot of knowledge about climbing since he was a stevedore on the Galveston docks.  He would climb those masts when a cable should break or they had a new pulley put in.  He would climb those masts and replace those pales. He was a daredevil. Mother and Dad such great times at these armistice balls, dancing.   And the Hook's family were together with them so much at these balls.  The Hook's family lived in Galveston at that time and the two couples would go out often and I would watch them dance.  They had someone watch the children; Ruby and Ruth. Dan wasn't in the picture at that time.  He wasn't born then. And then on 15th and M, there was another thing, I liked to buy groceries and sell them.  Even before 15th and M, we lived at 509 13th street. There was a cash and carry.  I went in and I took my little four wheel wagon and filled it with $5.00 worth of groceries and then I took it home and had my little shop down stairs and would tell the neighbors I had groceries for sale. Some of the neighbors would come over and buy a can of beans or something. Then over on 15th and M after they raised the house, that was a good deal.  I had my little shop built right there on the edge of the sidewalk under the house.   Then all of a sudden Ruby (Editor: Could possibly said Ruben.  Not discernible.) Hooks came bye and I said "look here, you want to see my little grocery store"? They came up to the window and looked around where I had my groceries stacked. I was probably 14 years in 1914.  Richard was 3 years old and Ruby was 7. They lived down the street from us. The Hooks lived on 19th street and lived on 15th street.  The Hook's lived on 19th and O and the two girls had gone to visit somebody.  I can't remember how long they lived in Galveston, but when they left they moved to Hillsboro, Texas. They use to live in Hillsboro when Dan was born. I have a brother - Robert - who was born in 1910.  I had a sister Elizabeth - who was born in 1915.  My brother Robert got in the Marines and is living in Anaheim, California now.  My sister contracted double pneumonia and died in 1938. Richard:  What were they like as  young people? Louis:  The were real nice.  My sister was a member of the "Rainbow Girls ( Editor: This is an organization supported by the Masonic Lodge for young girls until they are 21, when they can enter the Eastern Star if they desire.) which is a part of the Eastern Star and of the Masonic Lodge.  I was a member of the Demolay until I was 18 which was part of the Masons.  You automatically went into the Masons after the Demolay, but I had some financial difficulty and never joined them. My Uncle Willie and Uncle Harry were 32nd Degree Masons.  In fact my Uncle Harry was a 33rd Degree Mason (Editor:  Which is the highest recognition one can get from the Shrine s. Hundreds of prominent men from President George Washington to President Gerald Ford have been members of this organization.) Richard:  Do you remember any funny or special stories about Robert or Elizabeth? Louis:  Robert dropped a hammer on top of my head when we were at 15th and M, but I survived okay. Richard: Going back to your life when you were very young and growing up.  Do you have any other special memories you would like to share? Louis: Editor: The tape was not discernible, but from it's content, Louis had addressed all he knew or remembered. Richard: Again, what did you miss about your home life. Louis: Life at home was just fine and of course it was cut short when I was transferred to Topeka with the Santa Fe.  I left the car with my mother and dad so they could get to the doctors and hospital because they were both handicapped.   My dad was a stamp collector and of course I became interested, we had great times getting stamps and then pasting them in the books.  Then my Dad made the large plaque of the Alamo with the flags on each side and all the different things commensurate with the Alamos history.  He would cut and shape up the stamps and using the different colored stamps. It was interesting watching him doing that while at home.  Also he made a ship out of cotton and cardboard and entered it into the Galveston cotton carnival. He got a prize for that. I guess this ship was about a foot and a half wide and six feet long with all the rigging and everything. He would paint the cotton different colors of the ship. End  the 1st tape:  Ending this comes today on your birthday, August 5, 1983.  A special tape recollection by Louis Drewa on his 78th birthday. Part II of Louis Drewa's 78th birthday remembrances: Before the August 8, 1915 Hurricane, Galveston had a Championship baseball game played.  The baseball players ran right across the bag which I still have. The Championship game happened 2 weeks before my sister was born. The storm destroyed just part of the grandstand.  The park was sold to developers. Dad went to work for the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston at the old "Red" building.  He worked for 22 years as an assistant to Dr. Shaw in the archaeology department. He got acquainted with a lot of the students that way. And some of them graduated and became doctors. Over the years I got acquainted with some of them that had gone through the Galveston University while I was in Topeka with the Santa Fe Railroad. They used different kind of animals then from the pens to the students like the dogs and the cats and rats for them to work with.  However; I did go across the street and saw the bodies in pickle trunks earlier. All the students were at these tables and they would inject them or operate on them (animals).  So often, some would pass away while being operated on. We lived at 13th and Post Office in Galveston.  And all these old Mansions were being turned into apartments and these students would be burning the midnight oil until 2 or 3 in the morning studying. I would get up  a 2:30 in the morning to deliver the Galveston News. I carried 150, up to sometimes 225 papers. I remember one time, Dad said we're going to have to get out of this area because waters going to come up.  So we went to another home then that was a high raised cottage.  When the 1915 Hurricane hit Galveston, it brought about 4 feet of water into the lower part of Galveston, which is down close to the docks. In 1919, when I was delivering newspapers, I got a job at  Bradstreet Company in September. And Dad was working on the docks at that time and then later on he went to the University of Texas Medical School.  Before he left the docks, he was supervising loading a sugar boat bound for Cuba.  He was going down into the ships hold and the rungs came out of a ladder.  He fell down into the bottom of the ships hold and broke both legs pretty bad.  He was in the hospital for 2 or 3 years.  And that's why I went to work for the Bradstreet Company to help out at home.  He also got $2000.00 from the insurance and steamship companies.  He bought a lot at 3819 F and a half right over the old Galveston Baseball Clubs pitchers mound. He built a house there in 1927. (Editor:  It appears Louis is getting tired at this time.  He repeats himself some and his wording with the tape recorder is more difficult to understand.  However; one can't help but be spell bound listening to this gentleman describe his life. My wife and I listened to the tapes in depth twice before I transcribed them.) Then in 1910 we were living in what they called a commissary house which was on 10th and K.  Then mother got me out of bed and called me out on the porch to see this comet going through the air and it was "Haley's" comet going through the sky, which was a big ball with a tail behind it. It was quite a thing with the sky all lighted from the glare of this comet.  I was five years old at that time.  I understand that in 1986 Haley's comet is suppose to reappear in the sky. Dad and I would get out in the street (streets were sandy then). Galveston just had a few paved streets.  On 15th street we would get out and play catch a lot.  And then four or five of us children would get together and play baseball together. My Dad was very kind to my mother and to us children. He always did all he could to help us. Took time to explain things to us.  He was a gourmet cook. He use to fix delicious cheese food meals and everything had to be so. Richard: What was an example of your father being a popular person? Louis:  He was a stamp collector and he had a whole album of duplicates and so he got a frame 3 X 4', maybe 5' and took all these different colored stamps and he would cut them and trim them and he made the Alamo. And put the Texas flag up and the American Flag.  It was really outstanding. I hope when I go back to Galveston I would like to locate somebody that has that.  I'd just like to see it again. I know who he sold it to, because he needed the money so badly. But when my Dad was working on the docks, we lived on 12th and K.  He made a steamship.  It was about five feet long from bottom to the top of the mast was about 2 feet high.  He made the ship of cotton and had it pasted on.  He would fix up the colors in the form of dye to make different colors he needed on the ship.  When the Cotton Festival came the next year, he entered it and won a prize. He got his discharge in 1919. I started to work for the Santa Fe August 1925.  Then in 1932 the Santa Fe railroad transferred me to Topeka, Kansas.  And then mother had to go to the hospital every so often.  Her legs had to be taken care of and of course Dad had leg problems also. While in France Dad was so very good about writing letters and postcards which were so interesting to read. While I was transferred to Topeka, I left my Chevrolet 4 door deluxe car with mother and daddy. That way they could get around to take care of themselves. Dad was so energetic and he was always active doing things and after he built the home in Galveston at 3819 F and a half, he and I put the drive in from the street to the garage. While in Topeka, I didn't get to see my folks often. Probably once or twice a year.  I had time off and would go down on the Santa Fe railroad and visit with them.  After we moved to San Antonio in 1944. I left the Santa Fe in September 1944. Mother and Dad came up to visit us for Christmas Holidays in 1949. He had quite a problem with his prostate gland and after he got to San Antonio, I took him to a doctor.  He operated on him.  He was in the Medical Hospital which was close to the Alamo in downtown San Antonio for 3 weeks.  And after he got out and recovered nicely, they went back to Galveston.  In 1951 my dad was having trouble with his heart and other problems.  He passed away July 15, 1951. And the sad part about that was, it was three months to the day, on October 15, that mother and dad would have had their 50th wedding anniversary. They had looked forward to that so much. It was in 1937 that my sister Elizabeth was seriously ill and was in the Hospital.  We took the Santa Fe to Galveston.  Ruth was pregnant at the time.  Allen was born July 17, 1937 so it was the later part of July that we went to Galveston to see my sister and while there, she passed away with double pneumonia.  I begged the doctor to administer penicillin, but he wouldn't do it. She was under an oxygen tent at St. Mary's Hospital when she died. After her death, we went back to Topeka and then Allen was born on the 17th of July.  It seems like later mother and dad and Robert drove up to Topeka to see our first born and their first grandchild.  Elizabeth was born on December 23, 1938. The weather was so bad in December 1938, they waited until 1939 to drive up and see their second grandchild. We left Topeka, sold the house and went to San Antonio in September 1944. Richard was born at the Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio on May 13, 1948. It was latter part of May or first part of June that Mother and Dad drove up to see their third grandchild. They were so excited about their grandchildren and they always thought they were the greatest thing and mother and Ruth wrote to one another every week. And I made it a point to write to them every week too, to keep them informed about the grandchildren and about our health. It was in 1947 and the boys were coming back from WWII and I was being bumped all around and they wanted me to go to Laredo or Corpus Christi with the Missouri Pacific who I was working for when I moved to San Antonio.  We decided to buy this food stand on Hackberry.  Like I said this was in 1947 and then Richard was born in 1948. And then we decided to take a vacation. We closed the food stand. Padlocked it and went to California.  While driving over the desert, we had a wash tub with ice in it to keep Richard cool. He was on the back seat and a year old.  Then we had this water cooler over the window on the left side which I could pull a crank and let water in to circulate into the coils and that would help relieve the temperature quite a bit. And so we did get out to San Francisco and Los Angeles and Yosemite Park. We arrived there at 5PM and everything in the valley was filled up, so we had to drive about 10 miles to Wolf Lodge outside Yosemite upon a ridge. We were able to get a tent. There were so many people they had to put up tents.  When we got in the tent, they had six blankets and the bed and I wondered why we had so many since it was warm when we arrived.  The next morning it was down to 28 degrees and ice was beginning to form in the water on the wash stand. So those blankets really felt good.  We were very happy we made that trip because that was the last time Ruth, the children and I got to take a trip. As you know, she passed away in November 1951 with leukemia. Dad was a person who enjoyed talking about his work.  When he worked on the docks and when he got home he would tell us all about the things that happened down there.  Then of course he was a great baseball fan and talked about the different players. Then he and I would go down to the "Queen Theater" between 21st and 22nd on Norfolk street in Galveston. During the world series, the stage at the Queen Theater ( Stage was about 25 X 25 feet) would be set up exactly as a baseball field.  Then as information would arrive by telegraph, someone on the stage would position the ball either to the right or left field or first or the second baseman or shortstop and how far depending on what was received.  It was so realistic. People would swarm in there and tickets were sold out way in advance. And announcer of stage would call  out who was at bat, who was the player on each team and the number of balls and strikes. In 1919, we were living on 13th and Post Office, they put a radio station in Galveston.  It was called KLUS. That was the first radio station in that area.  Galveston by the way had a radio station before Houston. You could receive the information on your radio, which was an "Oatmeal" box, wound with copper wire and you would have another wire running on top of that with a crystal in it.  Two connectors off this wire tied into headphones and you could hear what they were saying.  I made my own radio. Then I had a playhouse under the house.  The house was about 16 feet high. I raised rabbits and pigeons in the back yard.  And then earlier at the house next door is where I went to kindergarten.  I went to kindergarten for two years. I remember one time they had a big parade on the Sea wall boulevard and the kindergarten teacher got all the kids to dress in costumes and I was Pied Piper.  My kindergarten teachers name was Mrs. Robert Shoeffer.  Her family came from Germany. She had one of the smaller Mansions.  It has now been demolished.  It was on the corner of 13th and Post Office. Another thing I did when it would rain and there was 4 or 5 inches of water in the ditch, I would take my little go-car which I made from wood, and I would go out to the curb and have make believe docks, with ships coming in and I put rocks and different things on it. We just lived four or five blocks from the dock and I would go down there quite a bit with my family and watch them load and unload those ships. I had a lot of fun doing that. Editor: This concludes the transcriptions of Mr. Louis Drewa's recorded tapes. Louis died of Leukemia in San Antonio, which is the same disease his first wife died; leukemia.

           Louis Herman Drewa and Margaret Ruth Hooks had the following children:

              +        27         i. Allen Louis⁴ Drewa was born July 17, 1937.

    +        28        ii. Carole Ruth Drewa was born December 23, 1938.

    +        29       iii. Richard Stephen Drewa was born May 13, 1948.   

          13.  Robert Leonard³ Drewa (Charles Louis², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Houston, Harris County, Texas September 9, 1910.  Robert died February 19, 1996 in Sun City, California, at 85 years of age.  body was interred in Forrest Lawn Cemetery, Cypress, California.   

          He married Olive Lane Foster in Hollywood, California, June 13, 1953.  Olive was born in Brownstown, Ind. May 3, 1917.  Olive was the daughter of Walter Lane and Mary Horner .  Olive died May 22, 1990 in Sun City, Calif., at 73 years of age.  .  Olive Lane Foster Drewa Olive was married to Robert 5 years before his retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps.  This was her third marriage. She has three children by previous marriage: Peggy Ann Stygar Born: June 22, 1936,  Marie Olive Sibby Jan 20, 1941,  Gwendolin Myrtle Born: March 8, 1942.   

          Robertion: Retired USMC. 

Robert Leonard Drewa Robert retired from the U.S. Marine on Aug. 22, 1958. He resided at 2467 West Mall Ave., Anaheim, California prior to moving to Sun City, Calif.  He has one step-daughter, Peggy Ann Stygar (whereabouts unknown) and 2 adopted daughters; Marie Olive Sibby (whereabouts unknown), Gwendolin Myrtle Wagner (whereabouts unknown). Roberts wife passed away at the Garden Grove Hospital, 12601 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove, Orange County, California on May 22, 1990. She died of a Pulmonary Aneurysm, associated with heart disease. Place of internment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, California 90630. Robert and Olive were married by a Baptist Minister in Hollywood, California on June 13, 1953.  Olive was 57 years of age at the time of her death.

 March 29, 1996: 

            Carole Drewa Todd called from Lakewood, Colorado. She said that Robert had died in February 1996 of Cancer.  She also said that his three adopted daughters took care of him, in order that he not be put in a hospital.  One told Carole, that Robert was the only father she ever knew. Robert is buried on top on his wife at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Cypress, California.

          Robert Leonard Drewa and Olive Lane had the following children:  

               30         i. Peggy Ann⁴ Stygar was born  June 22, 1936. 

               31        ii. Marie Olive Sibby was born  January 20, 1941.

               32       iii. Gwendolin Myrtle Wagner was born  March 8, 1942.

 Fourth Generation  

          19.  Merle Constance⁴ Drewa (George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Houston, Harris County, Texas July 6, 1921.   

          She married Harold Kieth Denney November 25, 1942.  Harold was born in Kansas City, Missouri August 11, 1923.  Harold was the son of Harold Haud Denney and Edith Marie Haworth .  Harold died May 31, 1991 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at 67 years of age.

                                                                                                            Harold Keith Denney

           The following obituary notice was provided by Merle and published by George H. Lewis and Sons, Funeral Directors, 1010 Bering Dr., Houston, Texas: 

 Harold Keith Denney, 67, passed away May 31, 1991.  Born in Kansas City, Missouri, August 11, 1923.  He attended San Jacinto High School and Texas A & M University, majoring in Civil Engineering. He was with Tenneco for 29 years.  Survived by his wife, Merle Drewa Denney; son, David Drew Denney; daughter, Dorcas Dawn Phayre and husband Tom; two grandchildren, Thomas and Brooke Phayre; brothers, Donald F. Denney and wife, Marie of Fort Worth, Texas, Richard Denney and wife, Joanne of Houston; sister, Janice Walker of Longview, Texas; sister-in-law-, Mildred Hahn and husband, Oscar Sr. of Friendswood, Texas. He was a member of Arabia Temple and belonged to the Directors Staff, and also belonged to the Masonic Lodge No 1292 in West University, and a charter member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.  Mr. Denney is also survived by his wonderful nieces and nephews who have been so kind and supportive, Donna Tynan and husband James of Denton, Texas; Dolores Gates and husband, Don of Fort Worth, Texas; Victoria Hampton and husband, Mark, Anna Dodson and husband Jim, and Marcus and Oscar, Jr. Hahn of Houston, also special friends, Norma Bearden and Charmaine Webb. Mrs. Denney would like to acknowledge all the people who have been so kind from the Spring Branch Community Center. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, June 3, 1991 at Memorial Oaks Cemetery with Rev. Mac Turnage officiating.  Honorary Pall bearers will be Richard Bearden, Claude Wright, Warren Wells, Jesse Webb, Walter Lewi, Gene Thornton and Kelvin and Mary Kay Brown.  The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the Houston Hospice in the name of H. Keith Denney. This memorandum appeared in Houston Spring Branch Chapter 3608 of the AARP, of which Keith and Merle were active:  

IN SYMPATHY:

 We offer out heartfelt sympathy to Merle Denney, our Public Relations Chairman,  who lost her husband, Keith,  on May 31, 1991. He is survived by Merle; son, David Drew; daughter, Dorcas Dawn Phayre and husband, Tom; and two grandchildren.  He had many friends in our Chapter, including our President, Norma Bearden. His warmth and keen sense of humor endeared Keith to all who knew him. The following is a complete excerpt of a letter that one of Keith's relatives provided to him.  

           Merle Drewa Denney was gracious to share the following sections with us: "------Copied from book in Helen Kerr Spaldings library---Written by Cicero Monroe Hines on his 82nd birthday. June 21, 1920, well the girls surprised me surely.  13 of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren caught me at the home of my daughter, Mamie Kerr on Virginia Ave., Kansas City to dinner, and they were a log which to be proud-everyone of them intelligent and good looking.  All 3 of my daughters were here. Belle Haworth, Mamie Kerr, and Edith Funk with a lot of their children, as well two of Vincents girls, Pearl Dickerson and Edna, each of the two with a child.  The other two were not here, Bessie who lives in Rosedale, and  Amy Brown whose husband is Mayor of Madison, Missouri, and a real estate agent. Edith Haworth--now Denney whose husband Harold Denney, is young yet and is a Mechanical Draftsman, and I think, fairly successful. Pearl's husband is a personal attendant of the Fire Chief. Edna's  is in charge of all delivery for Richard and Conover Hardware. Alex Funk is Superintendent Waggoner Co., Glass and Paints.  Frank Haworth is a very efficient Carpenter.  Made $92.00 last week.  James C. Kerr is head of the firm of Kerr, Freed and Garvey, Helen Kerr Spalding was before marriage a kindergarten teacher and Hattie Kerr follows that profession here in Kansas City now. George Kerr attends school and now on vacation, is in a bank. John Spalding is one of the instructors in Rahe's Auto and Tractor School. Edgar Haworth is in the express office at McCook (unsure of this word since writing is not legible in some areas), Nebraska.  Maude Haworth Junk and her husband, Walter, are farmers at Stilwell, Kansas. They run in here occasionally and we run out there often after fresh eggs and chicken dinners. Well, Mamie insists I must write some of my history.  I was in Philadelphia, Penn., when the Civil (uncivil) War broke out. Enlisted in Col. E. G. Charmen's regiment of Mounted rangers with whom I drilled about a month when we were inspected by the surgeon and I was thrown out because of one blind eye.  I then went to St. Louis and was running on Steamer Belle Peoria over 3 years.  Much of the time in government service on the Cumberland and Mississippi rivers at the siege of Vicksburg. Then Capt. Marsh died of small pox,  the boat was sold and I got out.  I went to Montgomery County, Missouri.....bought a farm and in 2 years did not raise $100.00 value of crops---chinch bugs.  I was elected County Surveyor, at this congenial work, I made a success about 3 1/2 years.  When, while running the line between Montgomery and Pike counties with the Pike County surveyor, Mr. Majors, an old man,  father of the afterward Governor of Missouri,  I had a severe sun stroke, which left me inside nearly a year,  caused me to about quit my best occupation of life. This same year I was nominated representative to the Legislature. My opponent on the democratic ticket, while I am a republican,  John Skinner.  My term of four years (as surveyor) had not quite expired. I found myself after this mentally and physically crippled.  John beat me and I had to quit engineering.  Edgar Haworth has my instruments now. I am 82 years old, can hold a pen very badly. /signed/Cicero Monroe Hines This was also in the book on another page. Patty Hines, Mother of Marquis De Lafayette Hines was daughter of Isaac Hancock of Valley Forge, Penn., the Quaker-Miller--brother of John Hancock. Mary Everard Hines was daughter of George Everard who emigrated from Naseby, North Hamptonshire, England to Lucerne County, Penn., and married Louisa Bertrand who was born in Ithica, New York. Amy Loraine Marsh married Marquis De Lafayette Hines. Her mother was Nichols then Stevens.  William Marsh, father of Amy L. emigrated from New Mildord, Conn., to Pike, Bradford County, Penn., with his family. He descended from Laugdons and Waldos and others. Isaac Hancock married a Miss Van Horn, a Hollonder. Cicero Monroe Hines, son of Marquis De Lafayette Hines, was born on the farm at Hines Corner, in Herrick Twp., Bradford County, Penn., June 21, 1838, and oh, he now Dec 8, 1916 remembers the old home so well. Mary Everard Hines was born in the old Engle Mill house at Covingham, Luzerne County, Penn., July 1840, and lived such a life of love and service for and to her family that her place can never be filled."  

          Merle occupation: Retired Houston, Texas School Teacher.  Merle Constance Drewa Denney Merle married Harold Kieth Denney, son of Harold Haud Denney and Edith Marie Haworth, 25 Nov 1942. 

 March 10, 1994:

Tylers grandmother, Merle Denney telephoned me March 10, 1994 to tell of the birth of another grandchild. Tyler weighed 8 lb. 10 oz. at birth.  

          Merle Constance Drewaand Harold Kieth Denney had the following children:

    +        33         i. Dorcas Dawn⁵ Denney was born June 27, 1954.

    +        34        ii. David Drew Denney was born June 13, 1958.   

          20.  Mildred Catherine⁴ Drewa (George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Houston, Harris County, Texas July 6, 1921.    

          She married Oscar Hahn in Not known, May 26, 1941.  Oscar was born June 13, 1916.  Oscar, before his retirement, was President and part owner of McGinnis Mfg. Company for 27 years. He has been retired for some time. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin. .  

          Mildred Catherine Drewa and Oscar Hahn had the following children:  

    +        35         i. Oscar William⁵ Hahn, Jr. was born June 13, 1943.

    +        36        ii. Marcus Paul Hahn was born August 10, 1944.

    +        37       iii. Anna Catherine Hahn was born July 14, 1946.

    +        38       iv. Victoria Elizabeth Hahn was born May 26, 1959.   

          22.  Marcus Egbert⁴ Drewa (Steffen Adolphos³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas September 7, 1931.   

          He married Fredericka Sweeney in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 13, 1958.  Fredericka was born in Tallahassee, Florida August 17, 1937.  Fredericka was the daughter of Nelson Isiah Sweeney and Lillie Mae Sweeney .  Fredericka died July 26, 1998 in Jacksonville, Florida, at 60 years of age. 

 7-27-1998:

            Freddie is the wife of Marcus E. Drewa. Ed.  Note:  Gail and I knew Freddie and Marcus when they were dating in New Orleans, Louisiana. Vernon was on a briefing session with the Navy at the time, and consequently wound up being stationed there. She was a beautiful bride and Marcus a handsome groom at there marriage. It was very sad to hear of Freddie's death on the 26th from her son, Malvern. Vernon called this morning and spoke with her brother, Horace Sweeney. He said that Marcus had taken Freddie to his hospital in Jacksonville yesterday about noon.  She passed away last evening about 7:00 PM  EST with pneumonia.  She was fighting "Lou Gehrig's" disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) for the past two years.  Her brother said, "she just couldn't recover from the pneumonia.  

10-9-1998:

  Obituary from the Jacksonville, Florida - THE TIMES UNION - July 29, 1998. 

          Frederica "Freddie" Drewa, wife of Methodist Medical Center President Marcus Drewa and an active member in Jacksonville's community for 32 years, has died at age 60. She died Sunday after a three-year fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also know as Lou Gehrig's disease. Her volunteer work included time with the Children's Home Society and the Southside Rotary Club.  She also worked five years as a nurse at Baptist Medical Center. "She loved helping people," said Marcus Drewa, her husband of 33 years.  "She always had a smile.  She was very supportive." Marcus Drewa said it was his wife's support that allowed him to run the medical center and the Methodist Hospital Foundation. "You know how some wives are pushy?" he said.  "She wasn't out front, so to speak.  But everyone knew she was there." One of six children, Mrs. Drewa was born August 17, 1937, in Tallahassee.    She graduated from Mather School of Nursing at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans in 1958. She also is survived by two sons,  Malvern Lawrence Drewa and Marcus Edwin Drewa; and three grandchildren. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Southside United Methodist church, 3120 Hendricks Ave. 

 10-11-1998: 

           The following is taken from the Jacksonville, Florida Methodist Hospital Newsletter - "Pacemaker."  

                                                                      METHODIST REMEMBERS "FIRST LADY" FREDDIE DREWA

           Methodist Medical Center's "First Lady," Frederica "Freddie" Drewa, passed away on July 26, 1998, after a courageous three-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Freddie, the wife of Methodist Medical Center and Methodist Hospital Foundation President Marcus E. Drewa, was 60. "She was a lady of integrity and compassion," noted W. W. Gay, Chairman of Methodist Hospital Foundation Board. "She stayed in the background, always pushing Marcus forward, giving him the recognition for their accomplishments.   Her family was her main concern and passion.   She was a great mother, an effective worker and leader for Methodist Hospital, and an Outstanding citizen of the Jacksonville community. She was a great lady." Methodist Medical Center's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Thomas W. Donovan, said, "My wife and I are glad that the good Lord made Freddie a part of our lives.   We will miss our dear friend. Freddie always had a quick wit and a good sense of humor.  When she was diagnosed with ALS, Freddie handled the news with dignity.  Throughout the progress of her illness she displayed great courage and refused to give in to ALS.  Her strength was an inspiration to all who knew her. Even as the disease progressed and it became more difficult to do everyday activities, she continued to travel and attend hospital functions and to enjoy family and friends." "She was a rose until the last petal fell," said Marcus Drewa, her husband of nearly 40 years." The Reverend Monroe C. Hatch, Chairman and President of Methodist Regional Hospital System, Inc., observed, "There are two things manifest in the life of Freddie Drewa that I will always carry with me:  her courage and her faith.  There is no way to assess her physical and spiritual struggle.  But she faced them both with incredible courage.  Her faith in Christ gave her peace, comfort and grace in each day to face the end of her life and to convey joy and peace to all who were with her." The Rev. Richard Shannonhouse, Chaplain Methodist Medical Center, reflected that Freddie Drewa was devoted to her family and faith community. "She was known and loved as "First Lady" of Methodist Medical Center," he said. "She was truly a part of the "Miracle on Eighth Street.'  Her good humor, courage and presence will be missed by family and friends." Freddie, the former Frederica Sweeney was born August 17, 1937, in Tallahassee, Florida.  She earned an R.N. from Mather School of Nursing at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans in 1958 and continued an active interest in nursing through continuing education. She first met Marcus Drewa in the summer of 1957, when she was a student nurse at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans and he was an administrative assistant there.  They were married on December 13, 1958. Hospital assignments took the Drewa family from Kansas City, Missouri, to Jacksonville, Florida, then on to Weslaco, Texas, and Louisville, Kentucky, before they finally returned to Jacksonville in 1966 to take charge of Brewster Methodist Hospital. Mrs. Drewa chose not to pursue a career in nursing, as she said, since Marcus "had a 24-hour a day job, and someone needed to be at home with the children." For more than three decades Freddie was a familiar face at Methodist, in the early years with her two young sons, Edwin and Malvern, and later joined by her grandchildren. "Freddie always pulled more than her weight when it came to making sure the boys had a normal childhood," Marcus Drewa said. "Malvern and Edwin were both Eagle Scouts. Freddie was responsible for the boys taking part in these and many other activities.  And her grandchildren, Elizabeth, James and Danielle, were the light of her life." Freddie also contributed her energies to the community.  She was an active member of Southside Methodist Church, where she was named a Life Member, and was recently a member of Beach United Methodist Church.  She was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Southside Rotary Club and for many years volunteered with the Children's Home Society.  For more than three decades, Freddie graced Methodist Medical Center events with her charm, warm smile and quick laugh; she once commented that "Methodist's employees have been a part of our family, and we have been a part of their families." "Freddie has been an integral part of the growth of Methodist Medical Center, and as the wife of the President, helped carry the banner of this institution through all the changes to the success it enjoys today." said Robert E. Jodan, Methodist's Sr. Vice President. "Her legacy will always be a part of the history of this institution." July 26, 1998. The following was prepared by Richard, D. Shannonhouse, Chaplain, Methodist Medical Center,  Service at Southside United Methodist Church, July 26, 1998.

                                                                    REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE OF FREDERICA (FREDDIE) SWEENEY DREWA  

          In my mind there are three functions or three reasons for today's gathering.  We join as a community to worship, we come to express our support of the Drewa and Sweeney families and each other, and we come to remember and honor one who is special to us, Freddie Drewa, as we celebrate her passage through the valley of the shadow of death to life. Freddie Drewa, wife and partner to Marcus Drewa for 39 years; Freddie Drewa, devoted and loving mother to Malvern and Edwin Drewa; Freddie Drewa, grandmother to Elizabeth, Danielle, and James; Freddie Drewa, sister to Harvey Sweeney, Nelson Sweeney, James Sweeney, Elizabeth DePamphilis and Lillian Deesen.  She was in-law, family member or friend to many special folks gathered here today. Freddie grew up in Tallahassee. She attended Emanuel Baptist church where she was baptized and matured in her faith. She was reared in a family of six children, in which she was the youngest. She grew up in a good, solid family where she was loved.  Her brothers and sisters doted on her, I guess because she was the youngest and maybe in part because they describe her as a gorgeous child with "banana" curls, bond hair, and brown eyes.  The Sweeney family looked after each other and they certainly were protective of their Freddie. I am told there was a big black dog named Buff that accompanied Freddie when others were not around or when she went to the grocery store by herself.   Buff was good protection.  I thought it commendable that the Sweeney's could remember the name of their dog from so many years ago.  Their reply was "all our dogs were named Buff." On other occasions, when a protective presence was needed, one of her older brothers certainly knew how to intervene.  I wonder if some of her early history, and particularly that "protective quality," carried over into her later years.  Freddie could be a lioness;  she was protective and devoted to her family as well. As Freddie grew she seemed to make friends easily and got along well at school.  She went on to further her education by attending Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated with an RN in nursing.  It was here at Baptist, toward her graduation, that she met Marcus Drewa.  She was one of 180 nursing students gathered together when she first caught the eyes of Mr. Drewa.  Permission from the president of the hospital was required before a nursing student could be married.  What an interesting policy.  Anyway, permission was granted. From New Orleans they departed for Kansas City, Missouri. this time was a special occasion for they had their first-born, Malvern. Later they transferred to Jacksonville and then Weslaco, Texas where Mr. Drewa served as the first administrator at Knapp Methodist Hospital, and it was here that Freddie delivered her second child, Edwin.  Freddie was the very first patient at the hospital in Weslaco, she had the very first operation and Edwin was the very first baby born there.  In reference to all these firsts, the local newspaper article was entitled "Real Administrative Planning. Eventually the Drewa family returned to Jacksonville where Freddie established a home, attended church and became the "First Lady" of Methodist Medical Center.  Each year there were many events in which she participated and supported through her time, energy and presence. the annual Christmas parties, Employee Banquet, art shows, countless fundraising dinners in the community, regular attendance at the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministry, buying trips for the gift shops, and on and on.  She did all these things and more. As mentioned earlier, Freddie grew up in the Baptist Church.  She later joined the Methodist Church and became a member of Southside United Methodist from 1966-1994.  In 1994, they transferred membership to the Beaches' UMC, which was near their home.  I think Mr. Drewa probably played a part in Freddie moving her membership from the Baptist to the Methodist Church.  If you know Marcus Drewa then you know that he often has that affect on people. But rest assured, Freddie was her own person, an individual in her own right and she spoke her mind. In her early years at Methodist Hospital she was active in the gift shops. She pitched right in and you would have thought she was a staff person.  Over the years, she insisted in her own indomitable way that she wanted to be addressed simply as Freddie.  This again was a reflection of her individuality, and most folks who knew her called her that.  Freddie had an important role in the gift shops and in staff relations.  You might be interested to know that all the gift shops, and there are quite a few, are closed today. Freddie was active in her faith community, which for 28 years was at Southside United Methodist Church.  She served as flower chairperson, was active in the Asbury Sunday school class, and her pet, or her love was the United Methodist Women's circle.  She was a leader of one of the circles for many yeas.  Her ministry was with a group of widows and elderly folk. She was involved on a regular basis with indiscriminate acts of kindness and/or church work that is the heart and soul of any faith community.  Her Christmas parties were an annual happening not only for her church, but for the hospital community as well.  She enjoyed particularly her circle group and looking after and assisting them in any way she could. Freddie was always willing to help when called upon at the church and did so with pleasure.  There is an old adage that "rank has privilege."  In the fourteen years I have known Freddie, recognition was something she did not seek,  in fact, my impression is she tended to downplay and even shy away from it.  Yet, she stood by her family at public functions, served as "First Lady" of Methodist Medical Center honorably and with distinction.  She was known by the staff throughout the institution.  She was recognized, respected and loved.  I heard staff, on more than one occasion, let her know she was in their thoughts and prayers, as was the family.  I remember not that long ago eating lunch with Freddie and her regular lunch group when one of our distinguished board members decided to stay for a friendly chat. Before leaving, he asked if we could all pray together.  There was not a dry eye at the table when he left.  Freddie was an important part of the Methodist Health Care System. Freddie stood by her boys, Malvern and Edwin, and was a devoted mother.  She loved your guys. She challenged you and pushed you and did all the things a mother does.  I want to interject a little poem I came across the  other day when I was thinking about your.  I got to thinking about my mother, and then I realized it's a simple little poem about mothers and why they do the things they do. Everyday Madonna When Father carved our Christmas bird And asked us each what we preferred. As sure as summer follows spring Comes Mother's, "Please, I'll take the wing". We children never wondered why She did not sometimes take the thigh Or choose a drumstick or a breast. We thought she liked a wing the best. She said it with such easy voice It seem so certainly her choice... I was a man before I knew Why mothers do the things they do. I read this poem to my wife Sandra, she said she liked the breast. I don't know if Freddie liked the wing, the breast, or the thigh.  I don't even know if she liked chicken. I do know she did the things for you guys that only mothers do. Freddie also had an important role in helping Malvern and Edwin reach the distinction of Eagle Scout.  She was mother, protector and friend to you and the family. Freddie was a partner in life to Marcus Drewa.  In 39 years there were mountains to climb and valleys to cross and maybe the greatest challenge for the family began almost three yeas ago when Freddie was first diagnosed with ALS-Amyotrophic Lateral Scherosis, also know as Lou Gehrig's Disease.  Lou Gehrig was a famous New York Yankee baseball player.  ALS is a disease marked by hardening of the lateral column of the spinal cord with muscular atrophy.  The disease almost always ends fatally over a period of several years.  The improvements of the latest treatments could not alter the ravages of Freddie's illness.  From a lay perspective, ALS is a terrible disease and without intending to make our time together more painful, one must appreciate the challenge that confronted Freddie and her beloved family. Winston Churchill once said, "courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality by which all others are preserved." Freddie developed great courage in her life, particularly in the latter part.  Sure there were frustrating and angry moments.  Sure there were times of fighting depression and battling the demon of helplessness.  Freddie was a good soldier.  Throughout she maintained her dignity, her indomitable spirit and sense of humor. Unfortunately time was slipping by more rapidly now and her physical condition declined though mentally she was alert and continued to be conversational until recently.  And even though she was fully alert she saved her talking and precious but limited energy for those closes to her.  Every consideration had been made' family members one by one had the opportunity to express their love and to say good-by.  And towards the end Freddie said, "I am tired and I am ready to go." she said that (I believe) Sunday morning and then shortly before she died that evening.  She passed away peacefully. I want to read a brief poem entitled   What Sickness Cannot do. Sickness is so limited It cannot cripple love It cannot shatter hope It cannot corrode faith It cannot destroy peace It cannot kill friendship It cannot suppress memories It cannot silence courage It cannot invade the soul It cannot steal eternal life It cannot conquer the spirit In conclusion, I offer some thoughts concerning Freddie's legacy. She was married to Marcus Drewa for 39 years.  When marriage has been challenged by behavior in contemporary society 39 years reflects a substantial commitment and is to be celebrated in its own right.  Her legacy is carried on through the lives of her family members; her children and grandchildren who she loved dearly.  ( And believe you me, you have someone on the other side looking out for you.)  Freddie's devotion to family embraced the Drewa and Sweeney families, which certainly include in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins and others.  Some relationships were hard fought in the making but certainly worth the struggle. Her legacy was her church work and her long tenure as "First Lady." We will miss Freddie: wife, mother, grandmother, sister, family member and friend.  We will miss her smile and her laughter, her courage and her friendship and all those things that endeared her to us.  Lord God we give thanks for the life of Freddie Drewa. Richard D. Shannonhouse Chaplain, Methodist Medical Center Service at Southside United Methodist Church Jacksonville, Florida July 26, 1998

          Marcuss occupation: Retired, President/CEO Emeritus,  Methodist Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida.   Marcus E. Drewa was born September 7, 1931 in  Galveston, Texas.  

          Marcus Egbert Drewa and Fredericka Sweeney had the following children:  

    +        39         i. Malvern Lawrence⁵ Drewa was born May 16, 1960.

               40        ii. Marcus Edwin Drewa was born January 2, 1962.  

          23.  Kenneth Steffen⁴ Drewa (Steffen Adolphos³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born September 4, 1932.   

          He married Nancy Catherine Steffey in Atlanta, Texas, May 24, 1955.  Nancy was born  July 10, 1933.   

          s occupation: Retired Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy..  Kenneth retired from the U.S. Navy in Jan/Feb 1990 as a Master Chief Gunners Mate.   

          Kenneth Steffen Drewa and Nancy Catherine Steffey had the following children:  

    +        41         i. Catherine Elizabeth⁵ Drewa was born July 24, 1956.

               42        ii. Kenneth Steffen (Jr.) Drewa was born September 4, 1957.  Kenneth died January 12, 1999 in Jacksonville, Florida, at 41 years of age.  

 March 26, 1999:  

                   It was a sad day, in that we learned from Nancy that Ken Jr. was murdered in Jacksonville, Florida, January 12,  1999.  According to Nancy, he was mugged and stabbed (which lacerated his liver). This happened in Jacksonville, Florida,  late at night and across the street from his place of work. He died January 12th.  No one knew he was in the Hospital for over a day. He had been relieved of his identification.  He had two surgeries with-in a day and a half. Because of his liver disease and laceration, they were unable to stop the bleeding.

             24.  Shirley Ann⁴ Drewa (Steffen Adolphos³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born;  May 22, 1936.   

          She married twice.  She married Morris Knows .  Morris was born in New Orleans, Louisiana September 3, 1915.  She married Jack Farmer .  Jack was born in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas. 

            Shirley was divorced from Jack Farmer in About 1963.   

          Shirley Ann Drewa and Jack Farmer had the following child:  

               43         i. Sharon Nell⁵ Drewa    She married Reggie Tison. As of December 2001, they lived in Jacksonville, Florida.                                                                    

          25.  Vernon Henry⁴ Drewa, Jr. (Vernon Henry³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas January 17, 1930.   

          He married Beverly Gail Wren in Fort Worth, Tarrant County., Texas, June 9, 1954.  Beverly was born in Fort Worth, Tarrant County., Texas February 2, 1936.  Beverly is the daughter of Gerald Craig Wren and Edith Wilson Turner .   

          Vernons occupation: Retired US Navy Intelligence Officer & Federal Aviation Administration Manager, Fort Worth, Texas.  He resides with his wife of 47 years in Keller, Tarrant Co., Texas 1120 Oak Bend Lane.  

          Vernon Henry Drewa, Jr. and Beverly Gail Wren had the following children:  

    +        44         i. Karen Lynn⁵ Drewa was born January 10, 1956.

    +        45        ii. Danna Beverly Drewa was born September 13, 1957.

    +        46       iii. Kristi Loraine Drewa was born May 17, 1960.

             26.  Robert Wayne⁴ Drewa (Vernon Henry³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas April 28, 1932.   

          He married Betty Laverne Conwell in Granbury, Texas, August 14, 1951.  Betty was born in Munday, Knox Co., Texas. November 27, 1933.  Betty is the daughter of Floyd C. Conwell . 

          Robert occupation: Retired:  

          Robert Wayne Drewa and Betty Laverne Conwell had the following children:

    +        47         i. Robert Wayne⁵ Drewa, Jr. was born July 17, 1952.

    +        48        ii. Scherie Darlene Drewa was born January 1, 1955.

    +        49       iii. Debra Kay Drewa was born July 26, 1956.   

          27.  Allen Louis⁴ Drewa (Louis Herman³, Charles Louis², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born  July 17, 1937.   

          He married Barbara Jane Dixon December 21, 1958.  Barbara was born July 20, 1936.         

            Allen Louis Drewa and Barbara Jane Dixon had the following children:

              +        50         i. Julie Elizabeth⁵ Drewa was born July 21, 1960.

    +        51        ii. Jenifer Allison Drewa was born December 27, 1962.

    +        52       iii. Eric Allan Drewa was born December 16, 1967.

          28.  Carole Ruth⁴ Drewa (Louis Herman³, Charles Louis², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born in Topeka, Kansas December 23, 1938.  Carole died January 3, 1997 in Denver, Colorado, at 58 years of age.    She married twice.  She married the 2^nd time to  Stan Todd . 

          She married Edmond Christian Schleyer Jr. , September 12, 1957.  Edmond was born .  November 26, 1936.  Edmond is the son of Edmond Christian Schleyer and Edna Ellis .    

            was divorced from Edmond Christian Schleyer Jr.   July 15, 1964.     They were married September 12, 1957. Carole attended college at Abilene Christian for one year 1956-57, and one year at San Antonio College 1963-64. Carole had her own Secretarial Service in Denver, Colorado and has traveled extensively, including 3rd world countries. She always worked in the Petroleum Industry.  Was President of the Denver Desk and Derrick Club in 1975.  Helped form Mile High Desk and Derrick Club in 1978.  Helped form Professional Secretarial Services in 1979.  The following information was received from Carole in October 1991: My life began in Topeka, Kansas 12/23/38 thus the name Carole (also my mom was a fan of Carole Lombard (Clark Gable's wife).  I enjoyed Topeka.  We lived at 1201 Medford Avenue until we moved to a huge  2-story home at 1417 Buchanan Street ( which was destroyed by a tornado in the late 60's or early 70's).  I liked pre-school down the street from our home;  playing and sledding on our street in the snow; taking tap dance and ballet lessons and watching the red cardinal birds (with a background of white snow) on the electrical lines out our windows.  We sadly said goodbye to our many friends (especially the Rices), sold everything and moved to San Antonio, Texas to another life of hot weather.  My mother's parents were quite ill and needed her help.  They died a year or two later, but now Daddy had finally found work, and we could not go back to Topeka.  My brother, Allan, and I spent our summers in Galveston with our father's parents, Charles and Anita Drewa. We would swim three times a day,   walking to the beach off the seawall just three blocks from their house.  We also would go to other beaches and crab.  Catching hammerhead sharks to use as bait.  Grandma just loved those crabs -she would stay up all night boiling and cleaning -  she would not leave one piece of meat on them. She made the most wonderful stuffed crabs - I have not found another match.  She also cooked flounder, shrimp gumbo and oysters. I was raised on seafood and Mexican food - they are my favorite.  

        Back to life in San Antonio, we moved to a duplex at 819-21 Hammond Avenue which was quite roomy to hold all of mothers family and relatives - 2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms (one used as a bedroom), 2 kitchens (Daddy used one as a dark room), and 4 bedrooms. Richard was born May 13, 1948.  We lived there until mother was dying and she wanted a nice home for her three children so we moved to 401 Vanderbilt Street.  Mother died of cancer Thanksgiving 1951. It was tough getting along, but Grandma Drewa really helped especially after Grandpa's death July 1952.  I cleaned the house every weekend, washed and hung the clothes out on the line, starched Daddy's long sleeved white shirts and ironed; made my own clothes and cooked.  Daddy bought our first TV, and I enjoyed watching Art Linkletter.  I looked after Richard, and Allan was busy at a private school, so I kept involved with my church friends.  One of the fun times which nearly drove Daddy nuts, was a slumber party I had with all my girl friends and a bunch of boys from high school appeared.  Daddy was up all night supervising.  That was a blast! After graduating from Brackenridge High School, I attended Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas. After one year, I married my high school sweetheart September 1957. Our honeymoon was spent moving to El Paso, Texas for my husband to attend college.  I worked in the college bookstore until one month before Cheryl was born November 1958. Debbie was born April 1960.  We moved back to San Antonio, and I attended San Antonio College one year, and by July 1964 I was divorced. I worked for Julian Gold, an exclusive dress shop. Then I got a real job with an oil company as a secretary in 1965.  July 1971, we moved to Colorado to enjoy the beautiful mountains and to ski.  By 1975 I was elected president of the Desk and Derrick Club of Denver.  In 1978 I helped to form another chapter, Mile High Desk and Derrick Club.  By then I opened Carole's Secretarial Service, and helped form at Association for Secretarial Services (PSSA).  I finally retired April 1980, and began traveling - to New England, Christmas one year in London, Cancun, Mexico, Hawaii, S. Dakota, seven countries in Europe, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Russia and other third world countries.  My health failed March 1985.  I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis.  My grandchildren appeared as follows:   1986 - Sara, 1988 - Lisa, 1990 Jonathan, 1991 - Samantha. I spend my time doing handwork - knit, crochet, needlepoint, etc., swimming, and riding my 18 - speed bike, and grooming my two Bichon Frises.  I might ski again - if I can get up the nerve.  

November 17,1992:

        Talked with Carole July 1992 is when she told me of the death of her father, Louis Herman Drewa. Also that she was going to marry a Stan Todd.  

January 4, 1997:

        Stan Todd called this afternoon.  Carole died at 4:20 1-3-97.  After Christmas, Carole and her husband Stan had gone to rest at Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Stan had thought it would be good for her Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. On December 28th, Carole told Stan that she wasn't feeling well and they returned to their Motel room. She asked Stan for a half glass of 7-Up. While he was pouring it, she collapsed.   He had to get to Motel office to get Emergency help. Stan told me that Carole had already started to turn purple before he left the room for help.  Medical personnel used electric paddles 5 times before they got a heart beat.  She was stabilized at Glenwood Springs from Saturday until Tuesday when they flew her to Lutheran Hospital in Denver.  A scan was done, which determined that Carole had no brain activity.  At which time, Stan and Carole’s children determined to remove her from life support.  Carole thus passed from this earth to her heavenly Father.   Her remains will be cremated.   A memorial service is planned for Carole within the next several weeks. Our prayers are with Stan and Carole family.

          Carole Ruth Drewa and Edmond Christian Schleyer Jr. had the following children:  

    +        53         i. Cheryl Lynne⁵ Schleyer was born November 14, 1958.

    +        54        ii. Debbie Ruth Schleyer was born April 24, 1960.   

          29.  Richard Stephen⁴ Drewa (Louis Herman³, Charles Louis², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born May 13, 1948.   

          He married Richelle Aline Grubb February 11, 1978.  Richelle was born  March 27, 1957.  Richelle is the daughter of Harold Richard Grubb and Marion Ann Benyo .   

          and Richelle Aline Grubb had the following children:  

               55         i. Stephanie Renee⁵ Drewa was born March 4, 1982. 

               56        ii. Jonathan Christopher Drewa was born March 15, 1985. .

               57       iii. Matthew Paul Drewa was born February 10, 1987.   

               58       iv. David Andrew Drewa was born. 

               59        v. Mary-Beth Louise Drewa was born December 27, 1989.   

 Fifth Generation

          33.  Dorcas Dawn⁵ Denney (Merle Constance⁴ Drewa, George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born  June 27, 1954.            She married twice.  She married Thomas C. Phayre II  November 23, 1973.    She married Alfred Poop in 1993.   

               Dorcas Dawn Denney and Thomas C. Phayre II had the following children:  

               60         i. Thomas C.⁶ Phayre III was born in Houston, Texas September 28, 1974.  .

               61        ii. Brooke Catherine Phayre was born November 28, 1977.     

          34.  David Drew⁵ Denney (Merle Constance⁴ Drewa, George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born  June 13, 1958.            He married Charmaine Webb in  Texas, May 23, 1992.      

               David Drew Denney and Charmaine Webb had the following children:

                            62         i. Blake⁶ Denney was born on (birth date unknown).

               63        ii. Tyler Denney was born March 1994.  Tyler Denney weighed 8 lb. 10 oz. at birth.

             35.  Oscar William⁵ Hahn,  Jr. (Mildred Catherine⁴ Drewa, George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born June 13, 1943.     He married twice.  He married Barbara Smith .  He married Nancy Thomas .   

          Oscar William Hahn,  Jr. and Barbara Smith had the following child:  

    +        64         i. Cary⁶ Hahn was born April 27, 1970.   

          36.  Marcus Paul⁵ Hahn (Mildred Catherine⁴ Drewa, George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born  August 10, 1944.   

          He married twice.  He married an unknown person.  He married Vonda Unknown .   

               Marcus Paul Hahn had the following child:  

               65         i. Kimberly Ann⁶ Hahn was born February 6, 1979.   

          37.  Anna Catherine⁵ Hahn (Mildred Catherine⁴ Drewa, George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born July 14, 1946.      She married James Hoyt Dodson September 2, 1967.  James was born June 17, 1946.   

          Anna Catherine Hahn and James Hoyt Dodson had the following children:  

    +        66         i. James Hoyt Dodson Jr. was born May 12, 1969.

               67        ii. Darren Paul Dodson was born September 19, 1971.  He married Lillian Theresa Tran July 15, 2000.  

             38.  Victoria Elizabeth⁵ Hahn (Mildred Catherine⁴ Drewa, George Carl Milton³, Edward Frederick², Herman Adolph 'Franz'¹) was born May 26, 1959.     She married twice.  She married Mark Hampton 1982.  was born March 22, 1959.  She married David Guevara Vidaurri 1995.    

The following was provided April 9, 2002 by Vicky, one of Mildred and Oscar's daughters.

 Edward Frederick Drewa. 

Edward was born in Galveston, Texas on June 14, 1970.  He married Sophie Marie Aldophine Steffens in Houston, Texas on February 11, 1891.  They had four boys and one girl.  They were typical German parents - stern and disciplined.  He worked as a contractor and helped to build the Galveston seawall after the great flood of 1900.  Edward died in his sleep on June 15, 1935 of heart failure at the age of 65 and Sophie died of cancer 10 years later ( as told by Mildred Drewa).

 George Carl Milton Drewa.

 Milton was born in Galveston, Texas, May 5, 1895 with one sister and three brothers.  He married Ruth F. Seelhorst on June 27, 1914 and resided at 2614 Ave. P. in Galveston, Texas until they divorced.  They had one daughter, Marion Ruth Drewa.

 He met Catherine Pautsch while he was working for a steamship company, and they married on January 1, 1920.  They had twin daughters Mildred Catherine and Merle Constance born in 1921.  Later, he bought a candy company and sold candies to Woolworth five and ten (back when they had candies in glass cases.) this was a good business to be in during the Depression.

 After 15 years, he divorced Catherine and then remarried to Laura May in 1940.  He died on July 29,