Wilson County Historical Society

Talk of Wilson County TX Historic Towns

by Barbara J. Wood

JOHN LORENZ

J.P. LORENZ SR.'S WERE WED IN 1902

..... John Peter Lorenz SR. and Susan Catherine Damron married 27 August 1902 in the bride's home which was on a near by ranch in Stockdale, Wilson County, TX. They were married by Rev Faust, minister of First Baptist Church, Stockdale. Maid of Honor was Mayme Holland and Best Man Oscar Linville. The weddding dress was white organdy with lace. They were married for nearly 58 years. Susan better known as Susie died on 3 Aug 1960. John died on 27 Nov 1960. [Thank you, Laura Swiess for the amazing photos of your grandparents]

John Peter Lorenz Jr. lumber yard 1949

Laura Swiess Dad's lumber yard about Jan 1949 in Stockdale Wilson County Texas. She says, " It was at the intersection of 87 business and 123." In the second picture, you see only the lumber yard with his lumber truck sitting by. Great pictures!!

John peter lorenz jr lumber yard about jan 1949 stockdale tx v2

FAMILY PORTRAIT 1883

FAMILY PORTRAIT 1883 .... Alvina Lorenz Houseton was born 27 Jan 1860 in Panna Maria, TX. She moved to Stockdale Wilson County Texas in 1878 when her father John Peter Lorenz moved the family to the land he had purchased. She married Charlie Houseton about 1884. They had a total of six children, Adolph Willian 1885-1966, Peter 1888-1937, Minnie 1891-1906, John Edwin 1893-1960, Alfred 1896-1979 and John Wade 1899-1901. The younger two children are not in the picture.

Alvina died in Pandora, TX in 1944 and Charlie died in 1933. They are both buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Stockdale and all of their children except Adolph William are buried there, too. Charlie was a farmer on the 1880, 1900 and 1910 Census. I believe the picture to be in 1893 because the young child in Alvina's lap is John Edwin and he was born in 1893.

Picture information: Alvina Lorenz Houseton is on the left holding John Edwin, next is Adolph William, then Charlie Houseton her husband, in front of Charlie is Minnie and then on the right is Peter.

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COURTESY/ Laura Swiess grand niece of Alvina Lorenz Houseton & great granddaughter of John Peter Lorenz

Wilhelmina Katherine Schell Lorenz holding John Peter Lorenz Jr.

Wilhelmina Katherine Schell Lorenz holding John Peter Lorenz Jr. in the outdoors of Stockdale Wilson County Texas. The vintage photo taken in 1916 was shared by reader, Laura Swiess. The woman sitting in the wooden chair is her Great Grandmother holding Laura's daddy. (Thank you Laura for the family photo)