Betty Raetzsch-Saenz, Native Texan REALTOR®

Travis County Texas in 1871

My Swedish relatives settled in Travis County about 1871. Among the family names of these pioneers are Ax, Axell, Bengston and others. I am applying for membership to the Pioneer Families of Travis County, Texas through the Austin Geological Society.

Betty Saenz, from The Republic of Texas

I was born Betty Ann Raetzsch and go back to the Republic of Texas at least twice. I am currently getting my paperwork together to document my pedigree to become a Daughter of the Republic of Texas or DRT member. The 120 year old DRT is the oldest women’s organization in Texas and takes care of The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas and has for 106 years. The Alamo, located on 4.2 acres, is a shrine for all generations.

Anton Pieper – Son of the Republic of Texas 

Anton (Menke) Pieper was one of the founders of New Braunfels, Texas because the DRT believe him to be one of Prince Solm’s 20 men. Bulverde, Texas was originally named Pieper’s Settlement after Anton Pieper. 

The Texas Museum of Handmade Furniture in New Braunfels, TX

The Breustedt House in New Braunfels is made with an old German construction method called colonial “fachwerk”. To make the fachwerk homes, wall frames were made from cedar timbers, then the frames were filled with solid sun-baked adobe brick. The Breustedt home was built in 1858 for Johann Andreas Breustedt and Caroline (Dauer) Breustedt, my great, great grandparents, at a site that is now just west of the intersection of IH 35 and SH 46 east. After many generations of families grew up in the home it was moved in 1965 to where it is now by Mr.and Mrs. W.H. Dillen for restoration and preservation for future generations.

I am so happy to have this home preserved! It belonged to my grandmother’s grandparents and is a treasured piece of our family history! My grandparents were Dr. Carl William Raetzsch Jr. and Alice Pieper (Raetzsch). Mother Alice, as she liked to be called by her grandchildren, was the granddaughter of Johanne Heinrich Andreas Breustedt and Wilhelmine Caroline Dauer. Thank-you to all involved including the Dillens for the preservation of the house and the Whipples for the preservation of the kitchen which has now, once again assumed its rightful place next to the home!

Indianola to Austin, TX Stagecoach Run

Another son of the Republic of Texas in my line is Valentine Hoch of Hochheim, Texas. His home in Hochheim, Texas was The Stagecoach Inn and has a historical marker on Highway 183 outside of Hochheim, Texas. His house is made of hand hewn white Texas limestone was the stagecoach stop on the Indianola, Texas to Austin, Texas stagecoach line. Hochheim Prairie Insuranse Company is still alive and well today with Julias Raetzsch, being the founding Secretary.

Texas Historic Markers