Johann Heinrich Afflerbach, called "Henry" in America, was born 23 Sept. 1824 in Erndtebrueck, Kreis Wittgenstein, Reguring Bezirk Arnsberg, Westphalia. He received a pipe with a very long stem upon completion of his apprenticeship as a blacksmith in his native Westphalia, Germany. This pipe remains in his descendants' possession, although the stem was damaged and had to be shortened when the pipe was loaned for display during the Texas Centennial of 1936. Heinrich immigrated to the USA at least in part to escape compulsory military service in Germany. Upon his immigration to Texas on 17 Dec. 1852, through the port of Indianola, he purchased land near Yorktown in DeWitt County and became a farmer. He also set up a blacksmith shop on his land and continued his work as a blacksmith. The Afflerbach farm was almost entirely self-sufficient. The family raised livestock, kept bees for honey, and raised grapes for home-made wine. Another reason for Heinrich's decision to come to America was that he was a Freethinker. He reared his children with no religious affiliation. He opposed slavery and succession, registering as a Conscientious Objector during the Civil War. Since he refused to fight, the Confederacy forced him to work as a teamster for them on the Indianola Trail which passed close by the Afflerbach farm. Heinrich married Marie Aschmann on 12 April 1858. The Afflerbachs had eight children, with five surviving to adulthood. Only one, Bertha, married and had children. Johann Heinrich "Henry" Afflerbach died 4 Oct. 1907, and is buried in Westside Cemetery, Yorktown, DeWitt County, Texas.
Johann Heinrich Afflerbach, called "Henry" in America, was born 23 Sept. 1824 in Erndtebrueck, Kreis Wittgenstein, Reguring Bezirk Arnsberg, Westphalia. He received a pipe with a very long stem upon completion of his apprenticeship as a blacksmith in his native Westphalia, Germany. This pipe remains in his descendants' possession, although the stem was damaged and had to be shortened when the pipe was loaned for display during the Texas Centennial of 1936. Heinrich immigrated to the USA at least in part to escape compulsory military service in Germany. Upon his immigration to Texas on 17 Dec. 1852, through the port of Indianola, he purchased land near Yorktown in DeWitt County and became a farmer. He also set up a blacksmith shop on his land and continued his work as a blacksmith. The Afflerbach farm was almost entirely self-sufficient. The family raised livestock, kept bees for honey, and raised grapes for home-made wine. Another reason for Heinrich's decision to come to America was that he was a Freethinker. He reared his children with no religious affiliation. He opposed slavery and succession, registering as a Conscientious Objector during the Civil War. Since he refused to fight, the Confederacy forced him to work as a teamster for them on the Indianola Trail which passed close by the Afflerbach farm. Heinrich married Marie Aschmann on 12 April 1858. The Afflerbachs had eight children, with five surviving to adulthood. Only one, Bertha, married and had children. Johann Heinrich "Henry" Afflerbach died 4 Oct. 1907, and is buried in Westside Cemetery, Yorktown, DeWitt County, Texas.
Inscription
AFFLERBACH
MARIE
JULY 24, 1860
MAR. 27, 1913
SISTER
J. HEINRICH
SEPT. 23, 1824
OCT. 4, 1907
FATHER
MARIE NEE ASCHMANN
MAR. 19, 1828
NOV. 26, 1907
MOTHER
