Born 17 Sep 1828 in Berlin, Brandenburg, Preußen [uncertain]

Husband of Francis (Muller) Niederhofer — married 19 Sep 1857 in Galveston Texas

Descendants

Died 20 Sep 1864 in Galveston, Tx.

Profile manager: Petra Winkler [send private message]

Biography

Charles was born in Germany.

The story handed down by word of mouth is that he married Francis Muller on a ship while immigrating from Germany. Her original husband had died on the ship during the passage and she was left with caring for her daughter alone. She was told that she could not enter Galveston without a husband and so they liked each other enough to marry on the ship before entry into the port of Galveston. I am still hunting a copy of their marriage certificate. Together they raised John Niederhofer and August Niederhofer in their home in Galveston, Texas. John and August were Christened by the Catholic Church in Galveston into Catholicism. Charles was in the Confederate Army in the Here is a link to regiment information 20th Texas Infantry Regiment Company G Search this link for Neiderhoffer or Heidenpaffer serving under Captain Dixon H. Lewis in Galveston Texas. The period of time that Charles was in the Confederate Army in Galveston includes the "War at Galveston" so it is believed that he may have fought to oust the Federals. Later, he died of Yellow Fever while still enlisted. Historically, the time of his death was during a long standing blockade by the Union on the port of Galveston and things were dire there. There was a noted Boll Weevil infestation of the local cotton industry that affected all commerce in Galveston and helped spawn a mutiny. It is also believed that some of the soldiers that died of the Yellow Fever were buried in the "Oleander Cemetery" Oleander Cemetery located in Galveston which is the oldest graveyard in Galveston.

20th Texas Infantry Flag

Here is a link to the War at Galveston Another link to the War at Galveston

My Great Uncle Althen Niederhofer shared with me that Charles was a master gunsmith. I haven't been able to verify this information yet.

Sources

[1]

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