List of Darmstadt Society of Forty members


In 1847, Hermann Spiess, Ferdinand Ludwig Herff, and Gustav Schleicher founded the "Darmstädter Vierziger", sometimes referred to as the Socialistic Colony and Society. The founders, as well as many of the members, were from Darmstadt, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. They originally planned to establish socialistic communes in Wisconsin.
Spiess and Herff were approached in Wiesbaden by Adelsverein vice president and executive secretary-business director Count Carl Frederick Christian of Castell-Castell, who made a deal with them to colonize 200 families on the Fisher–Miller Land Grant territory in Texas. In return, they were to receive $12,000 in money, livestock, and equipment and provisions for a year. After the first year, the colonies were expected to support themselves. The colonies attempted were Castell, Leiningen, Bettina, Schoenburg, and Meerholz in Llano County; Darmstädler Farm in Comal County; and Tusculum in Kendall County. Of these, only two survived: Castell and Tusculum, which was renamed Boerne in 1852. The colonies failed after the Adelsverein funding expired, and because of conflict of structure and authorities. Some members moved to other Adelsverein settlements in Texas; others moved elsewhere, or returned to Germany.

The Forty

The following list is derived from the first-hand account of Louis Reinhardt, as well as other historical records.
NameShipNotes
Otto AmelungSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Lawyer
Heinrich Backofen St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Maker of musical instruments
Peter BubSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Maker of musical instruments
Unknown DeichertBlacksmith
Christoph FlachSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Mechanic
Friedrich Wilhelm von Wrede, Jr.St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Wrede School in Gillespie County, Texas was established on his land. He was part of the German negotiating team for the Meusebach–Comanche Treaty. He served in the Texas House of Representatives Nov 7, 1859 - Nov 8, 1861
Rudolph FuchsLawyer
Adolph HahnSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Lieutenant of the military
Unknown HeffCarpenter
Ferdinand Ludwig Herff 1846Physician
Unknown HerrmannForester
Christian HesseLawyer
Johannes Hoerner
Louis KappelhoffShip carpenter
Heinrich KattmannSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847
Adam KoeppelSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847
Jacob Kuechler St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Forester
Georg August LerchSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Architect
Ferdinand Lindheimer 1834Naturalist
Louis FriedrichSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Forester
Unknown MertingMinister
Friedrich MichelSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Brewer
Franz Morde
Edward MuellerSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Agriculturalist
Unknown NeffCarpenter
Unknown NeffButcher
Unknown OttmerMiller
Ludwig ReinhardtSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Botanist
Unknown RockanAmerican who joined in Victoria, Texas
Phillipp Friedrich Karl Theodore Schenck St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Forester
Gustav Schleicher St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Engineer
Theodore SchlenningSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Physician
Leopold SchulzPhysician
Anton SchunkMaker of musical instruments
Hermann Spiess Co-founder of the Bettina, Texas, commune in 1847, he became commissioner-general of the Adelsverein after the resignation of John O. Meusebach.
August StraussSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Mechanic
Adam Vogt St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Forester; signed the petition to create Kendall County; first Judge of Kendall County
Julius WagnerSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Lawyer
Karl WundtLawyer

Philip Zoeller 		St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Architect who designed the Kendall County Courthouse.