Son of Michael Freidrich and Christine Sophie (Albrecht) Jonas. They immigrated to the U.S. in 1852 from Wilmersdorf, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany. His father died in route from Indianola and his mother, he and his siblings stayed for a short time in New Braunfels in Comal County before settling permanently in Blanco County near Twin Sisters. He married Pauline Koch 19 May 1861 in Little Blanco, Twin Sisters, Texas. They had 10 children: Bertha Alma, Augusta, Emilie, William Jr, Amalia, Pauline, Oscar, Eduard, Emma, & Frieda. He died at the age of 45 while training a horse.

According to information sent to me by Marvin Jonas from the Texas State Archives, Wilhelm Jonas and his brother Carl served in the Texas Rangers together under John S. Hodges company, 7th Mounted Volunteers. Capt. John Seaborn Hodges was the founder of the Hodges Mill/ Curry Creek Settlement of Blanco County. William erved from Dec. 14, 1857 to March 14, 1858.


Below is an excerpt of the notes from Marvin Jonas:

"William Jonas was a Texas Ranger, dating back to 1857. The Texas Ranger Records show that William Henry Jonas was born December 1, 1838. The only explanation that I have is that he had to show that he was older than his actual age. To qualify to be a ranger was simple in 1857. It was said; if you could ride a horse, fight, shoot and cook you could qualify to be a Texas Ranger.......My grandmother told us that her father, William Jonas, was a Confederate Volunteer. He was never sworn in because he became seriously ill. The confederate doctors did not know what the ailment could be or if it could be contagious. For this reason, he was sent home. The records form the State Archives confirm this. Bertha also told us about the story her father told. As a Ranger, it was told to me by my grandmother, that while on a scouting mission, William Jonas on horse back, came around a cliff in a draw. There he came face to face with three Indian warriors. Not knowing what to do, he reined his horse, shouted and waved his arms, as if a company of rangers were behind him. Luckily, the Indians were also surprised, were frightened and fled. Occasionally, the Indians would still cause trouble while my grandmother was a little girl. She remembered the Indians raided the ranch and took the entire stock of horses. No trace of them was ever found."

"In May 1997, William Jonas was registered with the Pioneer Hall of Fame, Former Texas Ranger Organizations, which is located next to the Witte Museum on Broadway Street in San Antonio, Texas."

Marvin credits his information to his grandmother Bertha Alma Jonas Haun, his aunt Lydia Jonas and the Texas State Library.