Texas Justice of the Peace, Freemason, public surveyor, coroner, and historian with ties to the 'Black Bean Episode'. Esquire E. R. Vogt - Artifact Return Search

Amy
May 21, 2024
1 min read

Updated: Aug 13

The book from Ernst Rudolph Vogt's funeral service makes it clear; he was a respected member of his Texan community. The book is filled with friends, family, floral donations, and those who spoke at his service.

It's a beautifully preserved artifact that tells a portion of this man's story. My research shows:

Ernst's father immigrated from Germany in 1849 and was a pioneer of Fayette County and his mother immigrated in 1847, also from Germany. He was born 9 may 1832 in Fayette County, Texas and lived his whole life in and around the area. Ernst and his wife, Anna Marie, had 8 children - six of whom lived to adulthood. It is said he could 'recall the stakes and outlines of every farm he ever measured' and he was Justice of the Peace for 38 consecutive years.

Ernst's mother, Franziska, was the last survivor to witness the reburial of those who had died in the 'Black Bean Episode'. Read more about it here: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/black-bean-episode *

Ernst was a Freemason and, according to his obituary, a coroner and a local historian. Below is a partial view of his Memorial Service book, complete with sermon and Freemason Resolutions of Respect.