The family name has been spelled Pflüger, Pfleger, Pleger, Pflueger, Fleger, Plöger (in south Holland), Pfleiger, and Phlegan. The original versions of the name translate to “plowman”.

Church records state that the family moved from South Holland to Volkmarsen, Germany some time in the 1500’s because they were protestants and were looking to practice their faith. How the family came to Altenhasungen (The German home of the Pfluger family) is directly related to the reformation and the turmoil it sparked in Germany.

In 1590 the Pfluger family was living in Volkmarsen, Germany where they had moved to practice their protestant faith. On January 4, 1590 the Elector of Cologne came to Volkmarsen to secure the people’s allegiance and demand that the people immediately take up the Roman Catholic faith once again. On January 6, 1590 all but a few of the inhabitants returned to the Catholic faith. The small number of families who felt bound to their protestant faith and refused to return to Catholicism were banished from the town. This group moved to the nearby village of Niederelsungen and Altenhasungen. The Pfluger (Plöger) family was in this group.

In 1851 Henry Pfluger sold his house and farm in Altenhasungen and moved his family to Texas. Many other members of Henry Pfuger’s extended family continued to live in Altenhasungen.

In Germany, Henry Pfluger was successful in his business ventures and able to provide a comfortable home and farm for his family. Henry was a farmer and a stone mason. He and his family lived in Altenhasungen, Hesse, Germany which is in Northern Germany. They attended the Evangelical (Lutheran) church in town and were dedicated to their faith.

In 1828 Henry married his first wife Anna Catherina Liese. They had 6 children together (Conrad, Catherine, George, Marie Elizabeth, Ludwig, and William). Anna Catherina Liese Pfluger died in 1844 when her youngest child, William, was only 14 months old.

Henry married his second wife Anna Christina Kleinschmidt three years later in 1847. Anna Christina gave birth to 3 children (Henry Jr., Marie, and John) while still in living in Germany.

So, why would someone who enjoyed prosperity in Germany sell everything, pack up his family and move halfway around the world to the unsettled prairie? By 1830 in Germany, the population was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the governance of the German Confederation. Then, beginning in 1844 harvests were poor and business activity took a downturn. In 1848 news of the revolution in France set off revolts in Germany leading to in-fighting among the German feudal states. During this period of unrest, Henry lost much of his property. He also feared for his two oldest sons. He worried about them serving in the military in these unjust situations.

For 20 years he had heard of Texas, the land of promise where a man could control his own destiny. His brother in law, John Liese (brother to his first wife) had already moved to Texas, fought in the Texas War for Independence and had been writing letters to Germany of his Texas home. In 1849, with fear of war looming, Henry sent his two oldest sons, Conrad and George, to Texas to live with their uncle John Liese in Austin. They planned to make a place for the rest of the family to follow soon after.

Conrad and George, ages 19 and 15 at the time, sailed from the port city of Bremen, Germany to Indianola, Texas on a 17 week journey. Once they reached the Texas coast, they traveled for two weeks to central Texas where their uncle, John, was living. They lived with John Liese for two years until 1852 when Henry Pfluger, his wife Anna Christina Kleinschmidt Pfluger and the rest of the children joined them.

Henry Pfluger sold his house and farm in Altenhasungen in late 1851. With $1600 hidden in his clothing, he and the rest of the family sailed from Bremen, Germany on a 13 week journey and landed in Galveston in early 1852. He and his wife Anna Christina Kleinschmidt Pfluger brought the rest of the children on the journey with them; Catherine (20), Marie Elizabeth (15), Ludwig (12), William (10), Henry Jr. (5), John (infant). Marie had died at 7 weeks old in early 1850.

The family traveled on a large multi-sail ship that carried multiple families. The families lived in cramped quarters and were assigned specific times that they were allowed to cook on the deck. Each meal needed to last the family several days.

After they landed in Galveston, the family traveled by covered wagon to join their two oldest sons and John Liese in Central Texas. John Liese’s farm was located 2 miles East of where the Texas Capital now stands.

Soon after arriving in Austin, and a few land transactions later, Henry purchased the 960 acres John Liese was granted for his service in the Texas War for Independence. This 960 acres is the original Henry Pfluger Sr. homestead in Pflugerville.

Right after the 960 acre tract was purchased, Henry Pfluger and his family moved to the property and immediately set out to create a home on the prairie. Henry Pfluger’s family was the first German family to settle in the now Pflugerville area and work the land.

Life was challenging for the early settlers of Central Texas. The area was quite primitive with few settlers, 4 foot tall sage grass and herds of buffalo. The Tonkawa, Comanche, Apache, and Lipan Indians lived in the area until 1860 and would sometimes raid the livestock and crops.

Homes were built from logs and mud with wood pins for nails. They often had dirt floors and families would sometimes go years without a roof on their home.

Faith was integral in the lives of the early German settlers. A circuit rider began servicing the area around the time Henry Pfluger arrived in 1852. The family would travel by wagon or sled to the Dessau area for service when circuit rider was passing through. They would bring lunch along and would picnic at Gilleland Creek on their way home. When a marriage, confirmation or baptism was needed, the family would travel all the way to the Lutheran churches in New Braunfels or Brenham for the service.

Before his death in 1867 Henry and Anna Christina Kleinschmidt Pfluger had three more children born in Texas - Charley, August and Elizabeth. Despite the rigors of early settler life, the Pfluger family flourished. Henry accumulated an impressive estate of cattle, farm animals and equipment by the time of his death, setting his children up for even greater success.

The children of Henry Pfluger also prospered in Texas, most creating families of their own and building upon the foundation of their father. The 10 children of Henry Pfluger who were married gave birth to 91 children. The descendants of Henry Pfluger Sr. now number over 5000.

Children of Henry and Anna Catherina Liese Pfluger:

• Conrad Pfluger (born in Germany) 3/25/1830 - 5/6/1911

• Catherine Pfluger Bohls (born in Germany) 7/22/1832 - 1/7/1905

• George Pfluger (Born in Germany) 11/28/1834 - 3/21/1910

• Marie Elizabeth Pfluger Schmidt (Born in Germany) 5/12/1837 - 1/19/1915

• Ludwig Pfluger (Born in Germany) 6/1/1840 - 3/22/1907

• William Pfluger (Born in Germany) 11/29/1842 - 8/8/1923

Children of Henry and Anna Christina Leinschmidt Pfluger:

• Henry Pfluger Jr. (Born in Germany) 12/7/1847 - 4/14/1904

• Marie Pfluger (Born in Germany) 12/20/1849 - 2/7/1850. She died at 7 weeks of age and is buried at the Evangelical church in Altenhasungen.

• John Pfluger (Born in Germany) 1/6/1851 - 2/25/1933

• Charley Pfluger (Born in Texas) 3/19/1853 - 10/18/1934

• August Pfluger (Born in Texas) 3/3/1855 - 2/18/1879. He died of a horse accident at 23 years old. He was engaged to be married at the time of his death.

• Elizabeth Pfluger Braker (Born in Texas) 2/4/1861 - 1/28/1924

After the Civil War, the Pflugerville area began to see growth with more families moving to the area. By the 1870s there were enough families to create a church. Members of the Pfluger family were charter members of both Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pflugerville and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pflugerville.

The children of Henry Pfluger Sr. were instrumental in the railroad being built through what would become “Pflugersville” and eventually Pflugerville. It was their vision that allowed the area to thrive and grow.

Members of the Pfluger family have made a lasting impact at both Texas Lutheran University and Texas Tech University where there is a Pfluger fountain in the center of campus honoring the family.

Leadership and public service go hand in hand with the Pfluger family. Members of the family continue to heed the call to serve in their communities in many different capacities from local school board, city council, and even state senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

Military service has been a source of pride for the Pfluger family with family members serving in a variety of capacities since the Civil War.

At home, the Pfluger family has found success and taken pride in the same qualities which made our ancestors successful on the prairie. Pflugerville held the longtime record for most consecutive football games won. From 1958 to 1962 the Pflugerville Panther team never lost a game, creating a 55 game winning streak. This long running success brought fame to the tiny town of Pflugerville with even TIME magazine saying “To the German-descended citizens of Pflugerville, Texas (population 400) the most important things in life, in approximate order are chores, church, and football”.

In 1999, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Resolution No. 381 commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Henry Pfluger Sr. family in Texas. The final whereas stated, “the contributions made by Henry Pfluger Sr. and his descendants are interwoven in the rich, colorful history of the Lone Star State and it is indeed fitting that they are acknowledged at this time.”

Inspired by a hand drawn family tree created by Lucia and Helene Pfluger, Charley Pfluger (the last surviving child of Henry Pfluger Sr.) requested that a reunion be held. Charley had moved to West Texas with his wife and family and he made the trip back to Pflugerville to attend the very first reunion in 1934. The reunion took place in Pfluger Grove (now Pfluger Park) with 432 family members present. Charley died just a few months after that first reunion.

The history written here is simply a short summary of the very full, challenging, complicated, trailblazing lives of a family who dreamed of a brighter future - a family who we are proud to call our ancestors.

You are encouraged to download the pdf linked below to read more of the story, visit some of the locations listed in the “Learn More” additional resources section and to reflect on the great courage and sacrifice required of our ancestors to pave the way for the life we know today.

These are the closing remarks at the first Pfluger Reunion in 1934, given by C.W. Pfluger:

“Today, as our family is gathered, we have several causes for rejoicing. We have cause for pride in our ancestors, both men and women; for they did much to distinguish themselves in the development of this country and many of their names hold honorable places in the state’s history. We are proud of the present generation also, for our men and women of today are exhibiting tin their varied fields of business or profession those same sterling qualities which distinguished our ancestors in years gone by. I therefore feel that I have justifiable pride in our family, past and present, and I ask you to join me in a toast to the Future Generations of the Pfluger Family, of which we are the ancestors!