The Texas State Genealogical Society recently awarded DeWitt County Historical Commission the 2025 first-place award for its book “C.H. Waltersdorf’s History of DeWitt County 1899 and Essays of Rudolph Kleberg 1847-1924.”
The book was published in 2025 as part of the Historical Commission’s celebration of the 175th anniversary of the founding of DeWitt County. Funds for the project were provided by donations and the sale of the books.TSGS chose the book from among 125 entries published by a partner society for the first-place award.
As DeWitt County Historical Commission was preparing to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the county, a member of the commission discovered a small 1899 historical book titled “De Witt County”. The book was written in German by C.H. Waltersdorf, a young German language newspaper publisher working in DeWitt and Lavaca counties. The commission contacted Dr. James Kearney, a professor of Germanic studies at University of Texas.
Dr. Kearney translat- ed the book into English and included over 90 endnotes to assist readers in better understanding the book, its relevance, and DeWitt County’s history. Dr. Kearney also included the history of early DeWitt County settlers, the Kleberg family and two essays written by Rudolph Kleberg. His brother Robert II married Alice King and became manager of the King Ranch in South Texas.
DeWitt County Historical Commission members Peggy Ledbetter, Mary Gayle Weber-Brindley and Glenn Rea display the book “C.H. Waltersdorf’s History of DeWitt County 1899 and Essays of Rudolph Kleberg 1847-1924.” It won the 2025 first-place award from the Texas State Genealogical Society.Courtesy Photo
With Dr. Kearney’s translation, notes and Kleberg essays, DeWitt County Historical Commission members Mary Gayle Brindley, chairman; Peggy Ledbetter, Commission chairman; Beverly Bruns, book owner; and Glenn Rea, member, made plans to publish the book. A publisher was chosen and work began on collecting historic photos to support the narrative.
After a year’s worth of meetings, proofing and editing, the book was published near the end of 2024. Distribution and marketing was part of the committee’s work. Copies were provided to each school, libraries, newspapers, chambers of commerce, and museums in DeWitt and Lavaca counties. Many of the museums and chambers agreed to sell copies for a portion of the proceeds.
Also, 30 copies of the book were delivered by committee members to King Ranch Museum in Kingsville purchased for members of the Kleberg family.
In a comment by one of the TxSGS judges, “The historical context shared within the book will be incredibly beneficial to family historians researching in DeWitt County, Texas.”
