2009-11-05

Granddaughter’s memories bring early history to life

Dr. MJ Schumacher

Renaissance man left a lasting legacy in Bandera

It is often easy to dismiss history because that is what history is – something that happened long ago that we think has no bearing on us now.

After meeting the granddaughter of Charles De Montel and listening to her stories of playing in the house he built in 1848, his history came alive. Charles De Montel’s importance to the founding of Bandera as an eclectic, bustling town and to establishing Bandera County cannot be overstated.

Charles De Montel was born Charles Scheidemontel in 1812 in Konigsberg, Germany – at that time known as Prussia. He received his education in engineering and military affairs at two of the finest European universities, the University of Heidelberg and the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

As did many Germans in the 1830s, he came to the United States through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He only stayed there for a short time until his adventuresome spirit drew him to Texas where he joined the Texans Army during the early days of the Republic. It was during this time that he shortened his name from Scheidemontel to De Montel. Some reports claim that it was Sam Houston himself who recommended that he shorten his name.

Using his engineering background, Mr. De Montel surveyed land west of San Antonio to the Rio Grande and up to the Llano River. During his time in San Antonio, he met John James and Henry Castro and they joined together in continuing the surveying this part of Texas.

In 1844, De Montel went with Henry Castro and 27 men and founded Castroville. After surveying the Henry Castro grant, De Montel was asked to escort some passengers from a French ship from Port Lavaca to Castroville. The family of Jean Nicholas Pingenot was among this first group of Castroville colonists. De Montel’s time in France served him well as he successfully courted one of Pingenot’s daughters, Justine. The couple was married in Castroville in 1845.

In 1847, Mr. Montel added to his properties through a purchase of a large tract of land on the Medina River. It was here that he built a large rock and mortar house that would be the home for several generations of the family.

While still considered the frontier, the De Montels’ home was far removed from what most would expect in the wilderness. Justine De Montel, educated in France, oversaw tutors and governesses dedicated to the education of the couple’s many children. In the afternoons their home was opened up to the various businessmen, entrepreneurs and leaders who gathered in Castroville. The De Montels helped to establish the first school in Castroville.

Despite a bustling home life, Charles De Montel was still very interested in exploring and expanding the frontier. He and his business partner, John James, came to the Bandera area in 1852 and acquired a significant amount of land. They platted the town with large lots, a public square and built a commissary and a saw mill named, “Bandera Mills of James-Montel and Company.”

In 1853, the mill was moved from where the Mormon Camp had been located to its final location in Bandera. Needing workers for the mill and being from Prussia, Mr. Montel was familiar with the skills and fortitude of Silesian workers. After hearing about Silesian families in Texas, he went into San Antonio to bring the Silesian families to Bandera.

Mr. De Montel gave land for the Bandera Catholic and Baptist churches. He was also responsible for bringing in the German craftsmen who built the trading post in Camp Verde. Later his son, Charles De Montel Jr. ranched on land his father purchased on Camp Verde Creek.

When Bandera County was formed in 1856, Charles De Montel was appointed to the first Commissioner’s Court. He oversaw the first elections in the new county. During the Civil War he served as provost marshal for Bandera and Medina counties. He was also a captain of a Confederate Calvary Company and the commander of the Confederate steamer, Texas. When he returned to his ranch in Castroville, he continued to be active in Bandera’s development and in state activities
Charles De Montel died in 1882. He was described as an engineer, surveyor, guide, soldier, county clerk and rancher. He can also be described as the man who gave Bandera its unique heritage.

Histoiran J. Marvin Hunter stated: “Charles De Montel was the most useful citizen that ever lived in this section. He engaged in many enterprises which contributed to the building of Bandera. There should be a monument erected in his memory.” And indeed there is a monument on the Bandera courthouse lawn for Camp Montel and the Montel Guards. His formal portrait is housed in the Frontier Times Museum.

After hearing his granddaughter talk about how she and her siblings used to pour milk for a kitten into a dip in the stone floor of their kitchen in the house her grandfather had built, Charles De Montel became more than a figure from Bandera’s past. His memory continues in the hearts and minds of his heirs and now ours.

To this day, his legacy continues in Bandera as we discuss the size of lots in the town he planned and what to do with the old courthouse square he designed.