Emilie Seele (daughter of Friedrich Hermann * Seele and Mathilde * Blum) was born 15 Sep 1867 in New Braunfels, TX, and died 26 Sep 1957 in New Braunfels, TX1021. She married John Faust on 29 Apr 1893 in New Braunfels, TX.
Notes for Emilie Seele: From the book New Braunfels (see references under Hermann Seele), p. 91: "Emmie Seele (Faust) daughter of Hermann Seele and Mathilda Blum Seele .. grew up to be an active and beloved member of the community and the leading benefactor in New Braunfels until her death at ninety in 1957. She married John Faust, pioneer, merchant, banker, and cotton buyer, in 1893. The Faust mansion still stands at 361 West San Antonio Street. John Faust died in 1926. "Tante Emmie," as she was affectionately known, continued to make generous gifts to the community over the next thirty years, including the Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library. Other gifts ranged from a traffic light at West San Antonio Street and Academy Avenue to protect school children, to major donations to Sophienburg Museum, New Braunfels Hospital, and First Protestant Church, which her father had served as secretary for fifty-two years, and where she had been organist and sang in the choir before the turn of the century."
From an obituary newspaper clipping (no source available): "Mrs. Faust's benevolence made possible the erection of a public library named in her honor. Her generosity also helped in establishment of the Sophienburg Museum, the New Braunfels Hospital, and First Protestant United Church of Christ. She was married to John Faust, active in business, banking, milling, cotton buying and farming, who died in 1926."
From New Braunfels (Texas) Zeitung-Chronicle, Thursday, October 3, 1957 Pioneer's Daughter Mrs. John Faust Closes Long Life
"Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the First Protestant Church for Mrs. John Faust, nee Emmie Seele, whose death Thursday, September 26, 1957, at the age of 90 years and 11 days closed a chapter in the history of new Braunfels.
" Interment was in the Comal Cemetery under the direction of the Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home. The Rev. Carl D. Burkle officiated at the worship service, and pallbearers were Leroy Faust, Jerome Faust, Jon F. Eikel, Hermann H. Seele, Ralph Rupley Sr. and Claude Aniol.
"Mrs. Faust was the youngest daughter of Hermann F. Seele and Matilda Blum Seele, who were among the first settlers of New Braunfels. Her father had joined Prince Solms in Galveston and was secretary of the German Protestant Congregation from its founding through the first 52 years of its growth. Blessed with a home life that stressed both knowledge and faith, their children grew up with a keen sense of responsibility to the community. Emmie attended the first free school in Texas, the school her father had taught as the first teacher of the new colony, and she was a student in the Academy her father originally helped to create and build.
"She married John Faust, a pioneer merchant, banker and cotton buyer, in 1893. They were not to know the joy of raising the family they desired, for their only children, twins, were not to live long. One died in infancy, the other, the daughter Stella, died of malaria at the age of 14.
" When her husband died in 1926, Mrs. Faust turned her interests toward civic affairs more than ever. She had been one of the founders of the first hospital, the Krankenhaus, in the 1890's, and had been active in church and school matters during her husband's lifetime, but now she intensified her interest. She, with her sister Hulda, Mrs. George Eiband, was associated with a number of other public-spirited citizens in almost every move designed to make New Braunfels a better place to live in. She Cherished the memory of the pioneers and assisted in creating the Sophienburg Memorial Association. She was the patroness of the library which bears her name, and she was among those who organized the Civic Improvement Club, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the New Braunfels Garden Club. Even in her advanced age, she retained her civic interests and was one of the larger contributors to the New Braunfels Hospital.
" Her love of music was manifested by her participation in various singing societies and her membership in the church choir, as well as her 14 years' service as organist for the German Protestant Church before the turn of the century.
"Mrs. Faust is survived by three nieces and two nephews, children of her deceased brothers Harry and Fritz Seele. They are Mrs. Claude Aniol of San Antonio, Mrs. Ralph Rupley of Houston, and Mrs. Serene Brenner of Bellville, Illinois; and Hermann J. and George H. Seele, both of San Antonio. She also leaves three cousins, Mrs. Mathilda Bock and Mrs. Ida Tolle, both of New Braunfels, and Miss Emma Blum of California." ______________________________ A Journey in Faith, The History of First Protestant Church, New Braunfels, Texas, 1844-1995,
p. 89 The Prodigal Son. Window 5 (on left near front of sanctuary). This window depicts the first of Jesus' parables. A newer window, it was given by Mrs. Emilie (Emmie) Faust, daughter of Hermann Seele: " 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him ... He was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.' " Luke 15: 21-33. ______________________________
Betty Ruth Rupley Allen recalls:
Ralph and Mildred and their three children and Mildred's mother would go New Braunfels at Christmas time to see Aunt Emmie and Aunt Hulda. Aunt Emmie always made wonderful Christmas cookies. The children would climb up into the attic turret to look out. Aunt Emmie had a chauffeur and a maid. Aunt Emmie's cousin Mathilda also lived with her. Aunt Hulda and Uncle George lived two blocks away from Aunt Emmie. Aunt Hulda had a big cage in the back yard with a Polly parrot. The Rupleys would also visit Landa Park.
--------------------------------------------------------------- Letter to current owner of Emilie Seele Faust home:
E L A I N E W I L S O N 300 North State Street #2833, Chicago, IL 60610 Telephone: 312/670-0271 E-mail: ANIOLWILSON@aol.com
August 6, 2002
Mrs. Kenneth L. Lowery 361 West San Antonio Street New Braunfels, TX 78130
Dear Karen:
Thank you for your telephone contact last week and your generous sharing of information about the current status of Aunt Emmie's house.
The members of the family I have had contact with are very pleased that you and your husband were able to rescue the structure and to return it to its proper status as a true residence. Many of us have very fond memories of having been visitors to Aunt Emmie's house and having been a part in her life in that home.
At the time of Aunt Emmie's death, her estate was structured so none of the heirs could acquire ownership of the house, although serious discussions about this did take place. Through the intervening years, each time the house was available for purchase, various escendants considered buying it. As everyone lived away from New Braunfels, this never came to fruition. However, vivid memories of times enjoyed with Aunt Emmie in her home remain a part of our family heritage.
From your conversation last week, I know that you have researched the history of the house. Perhaps, some of the information drawn from our family data will help give you an additional human vision of the past life that took place there in the 52 years when it was Aunt Emmie's house.
Aunt Emmie's parents were Hermann and Mathilda Blum Seele, who both had been born in Germany. Hermann arrived in Texas in 1843 and came to the New Braunfels colony on May 6, 1845. He began the first school in a clump of trees below the Sophienburg Hill on August 11 of that year. (I am including a copy of the official city proclamation issued for our recent Seele Family Reunion, as it has a good summary of the major activities of that original generation.)
Aunt Emmie was the fourth of the five Seele children. Only two of them (who moved away from New Braunfels) have living descendants-"Harry", the eldest who was born in 1862, and "Fritz", the youngest who was born in 1871. Hulda was born in 1864, Ernst (who lived only two months) was born in 1866 and Emmie was born on September 15, 1867. Hulda was just three when Emmie was born, but Emmie probably got extra loving care directed her way for the first three years of her life until Fritz was born, because of the loss of Ernst.
Emmie was well educated and well read. A music lover, she played the organ, as her Grandfather Blum did, in the First Protestant Church for many years. Seven years after Hulda married businessman George Eiband, Emmie married John Faust on April 29, 1893. She was 25, and gave birth two days after Christmas that year. A son died in infancy, but Stella, her daughter lived until age fourteen.
The move to the newly built San Antonio Street house, elegant enough to befit the family of a banker, came when John and Emmie Faust had been married twelve years. Aunt Emmie was then 38 years old and Stella was almost twelve, so it would have been thought of as a family home. Hermann Seele had died in 1902 (before the move) and with Stella's death on October 5, 1908, Aunt Emmie began the evolution of her desire to reach out (as her father had) to all children from those of her brothers to those of the greater New Braunfels community. Her mother Mathilda died in 1925. John died a year later. So, after having lived in the house as the Faust couple for 19 years, at age 59, Aunt Emmie began creating her new life of 31 years there as a widow, and she benefitted those she loved, her extended family and the people of New Braunfels. In the family, she is an example of someone who turned sadness into expanding joy. (She was blessed by the continued supportive friendship of her sister Hulda, as she and George Eiband lived nearby until their deaths in the mid-1930's.)
When Aunt Emmie died at age ninety on September 26, 1957, she was an elderly lady who did not seem old, because she had an active mind and wanted to know the latest news about the people she loved. She had had a variety of ailments--heart disease, bad knees and a broken hip--but she always followed the doctor's orders carefully, so her quality-of-life only slowed a bit. She walked with a cane, used footstools, and installed a porch ramp and the tiny elevator to avoid having to struggle with the many stairs. Family visitors tried to "protect" her energy, especially from active children, but she usually managed to graciously override them, as she wanted to share fully in what was happening. Her one regret was that she couldn't travel abroad by airplane (doctor's orders), so she used her limousine and her chauffeur to visit relatives around Texas. She was really a grand, spunky lady, a great role model for the generations who have followed.
You asked about the interior of the house. It has been years since I was inside, and I, happily, have few unpure memories. I do remember being saddened by the first floor plumbing and wall changes during the commercial period, as that destroyed the integrity of the upstairs /downstairs zoning so critical in grand homes of that period. In the original house plan, there were definite owner and servant areas. The creation of a continuous commercial hallway linking front and back doors violated this division and also damaged the grandeur of the scale of the library, the room where family gathered when they visited with Aunt Emmie. Were you able to restore the original library spatial dimensions and the pantries between the dining room and the kitchen to reestablish the original floor pla
Fortunately, the legacy of Seele household furnishings meant most items were past down in the family. However, those from Aunt Emmie could not be kept intact, as one branch of the family in 1957 wanted no objects and preferred cash, requiring some items be sold. Descendants today treasure Seele Family items they do have, and we all have great fun sharing news about them. We have all been glad our fore bearers purchased the very best quality furnishings, so they have survived through many generations of use. (I, fortunately, inherited objects from the homes of Hermann and Mathilda, Aunt Emmie, Aunt Hulda and Fritz.)
It sounds like your Christmas decorations are truly elaborate and bring pleasure to the people of New Braunfels. Technology today makes the luxurious use of electric lights seem much more splendid than the candles, lighted just for a few, careful minutes, that fit into the counterbalanced holders I inherited from Aunt Emmie along with a fragile pewter star from her tree. I do, however, remember the white lighted star (important in German Christmas symbolism) that centered her front porch fascia during the holiday season. Do you use a star there?
I am sure our family members will be pleased to know that you are planning something special for 2005 when Aunt Emmie’s house will be 100 years old. And, we hope that you can meet with us when we are in New Braunfels for the next Hermann and Mathilda Seele Family Reunion in 2004.
Please, let me know what additional questions you have. And, we will be alert to other information that may help your appreciation of this truly wonderful house.
_______________________________________ Letter from Aunt Emmie to Mildred Seele Rupley, January 28th, 1944
Dear Mildred! In answer to your letter I am sending you the details of Opa Seele. He landed in Galveston December 1843 a young man of 20. Two years later he came to New Braunfels with the first settlers of that now thrifty city. He opened a school there that summer under the elm trees just below the hill, and in 1846 he was elected district clerk of Comal county. In 1855 he was justice of the peace, and during the Civil War he was mayor of New Braunfels. Later he was a representative from Comal County in the eleventh state legislature. Opa was one of the founders of the German Protestant congregation in 1845, and during his administration of the affairs of that city he was instrumental in the erection of school buildings and the construction of the waterworks system of New Braunfels. He also served as Postmaster and was also appointed adjutant and general inspector of the Thirty-first Brigade of the Texas State Militia with the rank of Major. I forgot to state that Opa Seele stayed in Galveston and joined the colonists with Prince Solms in 1845. I think I told you all the most important things about him although I could write more and more about his everyday life.
Maybe I will come to Houston next week if possible if I can get some of my friends to take me as I have no chauffeur. I am so glad Ralph Jr. sticksto his music. Our high school band has a fine new director , his name is Victor Case and they are going to give their first concert tonight. You can certainly tell the difference in their playing since he is directing them! Matilde and I are going to our music study club this afternoon so I guess we will dream about music tonight. I know you will be able to join the Daughters of the Republic of Texas through my information. So glad Jr. could spend a week at home with you.
Have started my spring gardening onions and carrots and beets are all up and the yard man sowed spinach yesterday and today I was going to throw lettuce and radishes in the ground but it rained all night, so that's off. Did you have any snow in Houston? Two weeks ago we had about two inches but it melted too quick. All of my rose bushes are trimmed and my yard man spaded the beds but he gets on a drunk once in a while, and then he is not fit for anything and too bad he cannot drive an automobile. Have not seen Mother or Ruth in two weeks now as I am saving gasoline as we all have to do. But now I must bring my letter to a close.
With lots of love to all, Aunt Emmie
More About Emilie Seele: Burial: Unknown, Comal Cemetery, New Braunfels, TX. Comment 1: Dad gave land for house as wedding present. Comment 2: Home is New Braunfels landmark Faust House. Comment 3: Cousin Mathilda lived with her in her later years. Comment 4: Donated money for New Braunfels, TX library. Ethnicity/Relig.: 1st Protestant Church, New Braunfels. Occupation: 1877, Church organist, 1877-1891, 1st Protestant Church, New Braunfels.1022 Personality/Intrst: Happy German hausfrau, philanthropist. Residence: 361 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX.
More About Emilie Seele and John Faust: Marriage: 29 Apr 1893, New Braunfels, TX.
Children of Emilie Seele and John Faust are:
Stella Faust, b. 27 Dec 1893, d. 05 Oct 1908, New Braunfels, TX.
Emilie Seele (b. 15 Sep 1867, d. 26 Sep 1957)
Notes for Emilie Seele: