Ottmar von Behr

Baron Ottmar von Behr, only in the U.S. called Ottmar Behr ( * 1810 in the Duchy of Anhalt- Köthen, † 1856 in Germany ) was a German farmer and sheep rancher, meteorologist and naturalist.

Family

Behr was the son of the Prime Minister of the Duchy of Anhalt- Köthen under Duke Friedrich August Christian.

He was married to Louise Katz barrel (* 1818, † 1881). The couple had four children, including a son of the same Ottmar jun.

Life

Behr was a friend of the geographer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt and the writer Bettina von Arnim, after the Latin Settlement " Bettina " was named in Llano County ( Texas).

Behr was a member of the so-called Holter circle. The Holter circle was an opposition political friends, who repeatedly - especially in the years 1845 to 1847 - came together at a hunting lodge in Schloss Holte near Bielefeld. The poet Hoffmann von Faller life was connected to the Holter circle.

The date of his arrival in Texas is unknown, but he lived in 1846 in Houston, where he met Hermann skewer, with whom he soon returned to Germany. But as early as 1847 reported Gustav Dresel, the agent of the " Mainzer nobility association" that Behr was with his family from Germany and back with him in Galveston. In the same year Behrs book was published " Good advice for expatriates " in Leipzig.

In 1847 Nicolaus zinc was the first settler of the later town Sisterdale, the most famous "Latin Settlement " in Kendall County between San Antonio ( Texas) and Fredericksburg. Behr soon came as the second settler there and to this settlement have even given their name. In the German " newspaper" of Galveston from June 7, 1848 Behr touted the benefits of Texas, the possibilities for settlers and the friendliness of its population of Comanche.

In October 1853 he was one of four singers from Sisterdale that the first song festival in New Braunfels ( Comal County) participated.

In his house at Guadalupe River he possessed an extensive library, perhaps the first ever in Texas. He lived as a sheep farmer and crossed German with Mexican sheep. He also worked as a magistrate of his county. In addition, he is said to have operated the local post office.

During these years he received a visit from Prince Paul Wilhelm of Württemberg (1797-1860), John Russell Bartlett and Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), who enjoyed in this remote wilderness on its books and photo collection.

Behr had some possessions in Germany, which is why he also returned there regularly. On one of these trips he died in 1856. However, his widow remained with her four children in Texas, where at least in the 1970s still descendants lived.

The former House of Ottmar Behr with a post office and library burned down at some point. His son Ottmar jun. built in 1870, however, at the same place a new house, which is now a museum.

Bibliography

• Good advice for emigrants to the United States of North America, with special attention to Texas. Excellent for country, craftsmen written by his own experience, Publisher R. Friese, Leipzig 1847.