Dannheim, Anna Louisa Clara Heinzer Meyer (1866-1939)
Anna Louisa Clara Heinzer Meyer Dannheim, Confederate Widow, was born in Germany to the Heinzer family on July 3, 1866. She married Ernst Friedrich Wilhelm Meyer in Minden, Germany on July 10, 1885. The young couple set sail for the United States. They arrived in Texas sometime late in 1885 and settled in Gillespie County, Fredericksburg, Texas. They had two daughters. Wilhelm deserted Clara. His disappearance left her no choice but to dissolve the marriage. A divorce was later granted.
William Dannheim was born in Germany on March 30, 1838. He travelled with his parents and siblings from Germany to join the new settlements in Texas. They arrived at the Port of Galveston December 18, 1845.
William was part of the Minute Men under Captain Alf Hunter of Precinct Number 1, 2nd Frontier District. He enlisted in Mason County, Texas on February 13, 1864 and was discharged at the close of the war. After the war, he settled in Gillespie County, Fredericksburg, Texas. He and his first wife, Sophie Meyer were married June 8, 1865 and had 10 children. Sophie died April 21, 1883.
William and Clara married on February 22, 1892 in Gillespie County, Fredericksburg, Texas. They had one son and 5 daughters. When they could no longer take care of their farm, they sold it and bought a house in Fredericksburg. They lived there until William began to suffer from early senility. The couple moved to a house in Doss, Texas next door to her daughter Lilly, for extra care and support. William passed away there on December 20, 1922 and was buried in the Fredericksburg City Cemetery (Der Stadt Friedhof).
Clara moved to Austin to be near her daughter Elsie. As Clara aged and the progression of diabetes worsened, skilled nursing care became necessary. She entered the Confederate Woman’s Home at 3710 Cedar Street in Austin and passed away there on January 17, 1939. Interment followed the next day in a space allotted to Confederate soldiers and their wives in the Texas State Cemetery.
Sources: Death and Marriage Certificates, 1900 Census, Confederate Widow Pension Application #45240, Pension confirmation correspondence letter
