Brasher, Agnes (Boettcher)

Agnes Brasher, 83, of Weimar, died Thursday, Sept. 8, 1994, at her residence.

Born Feb. 28, 1911, in Weimar, she was the daughter of J. O. and Agnes (Doggett) Boettcher. On July 31, 1931, she married F. F. (Teddy) Brasher I Weimar. Mrs. Brasher attended Weimar public schools and Baylor University. She was a member of Weimar Garden Club, Weimar Women's Club, First United Methodist Church, was involved in writing poetry, was a life member of Texas Garden Clubs and the National council of State Garden Clubs where she held many district and state garden club offices.

Funeral services were held Sept. 10, at First United Methodist Church in Weimar with ministers Sid MacAllister and Judith Sellers officiating. Interment followed in Masonic Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Rodney Muenster, James Heger, Walter Scott, John Boettcher, Steve Boettcher, Bob Kalous and Mike Brasher.

Mrs. Brasher is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Karen Brasher; son-in-law, Frank Perez; grandsons, Scott Brasher and Noel Perez; granddaughter, Michelle Kessler and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband in May 1981, and daughter, Molly Perez.

Colorado County Citizen, September 14, 1994
Transcription by Dennis Boatright

Brasher, Charles M.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. C. M. Brasher, of Weimar, which sad event occurred on the 28th ult., at that place.  The deceased had been in declining health for some time, with consumption, and was doubtless cognizant of his fate.  He was a much respected citizen of our county, having a large circle of friends.  The Masonic Fraternity buried him last Friday evening.  In another column may be found a tribute of respect by brethren of his lodge. [Interred at Weimar Odd Fellows Cemetery.]

Colorado Citizen, July 12, 1877, page 3
Transcribed by Dorothy Albrecht

Brasher, Francis Ferrell "Teddy"

Death Claims Former Mayor
Served 19 Years

F. F. ("Teddy") Brasher, who served as mayor of Weimar in three separate priods [sic] for a total of 19 years, died Friday night, May 15, in St. Luke's Hospital, Houston, after a month's illness.

The cause of his death was still a mystery this week as his family and doctors awaited the results of an autopsy. It was suspected he had some type of fast-moving cancer.

Mr. Brasher was first elected mayor in 1948, after serving four years as a city councilman, when Mayor Henry Laas retired. He served five consecutive terms, retired for four years, during which time the late Bill Ratliff was mayor, then returned for a term and a half before resigning. When his successor, John Miksch, declined to run for a second full term in 1968, Mayor Brasher was persuaded to take up the task again, and he continued in office until 1974.

Weimar experienced some of its greatest municipal progress during his years as mayor, not the least of which was getting out of debt and on the pay-as-you-go basis that the city has maintained for nearly 20 years now.

Some of the physical landmarks of his time in office are the city hall, post office and firehouse. He was mayor when negotiations were made with Southern Pacific Railroad for Weimar to acquire the old depot and convert it to Weimar Public Library. The remodeling and the creation of Jackson Square, were begun during his last year in office.

Hospital President

One of his greatest interests was Youens Memorial Hospital. He was the first president of the foundation when it was formed in 1966 and guided it through two major expansion programs, the second one as finance chairman from 1971 to 1973, when a great deal of money was needed to satisfy the federal government's requirements of changes. It was a time when hospitals in many larger towns were forced to close.

Park Trustee

He was largely responsible for Hill Memorial park being given to the Weimar community by the Hill heirs in 1967. The heirs, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sparks, set up a foundation that leased the 111 acre park to the city for 25 years for one dollar. They named F. F. Brasher as one of the three trustees, with his successor only to be his son.

Francis Ferrell Brasher was born in Weimar on February 27, 1910, a son of Henry Sr. and Mattie (Ferrell) Brasher. After graduation from Weimar High School he attended Texas A&M University for a year before returning to join the family business, Brasher Motor Co., in 1930. He married Agnes Boettcher here on July 22, 1931.

Bank Director

He was a director and vice-chairman of Hill Bank & Trust Co., a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, a longtime member of the Weimar Golf Club and supporter of all sports. Back in the late '40's he was one of three key people responsible for the introduction of semi-pro baseball in Weimar, a project that brought the town national publicity and paid for a first-class baseball stadium in two seasons.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, where his funeral service was held Monday, May 18, with a former pastor and close friend, Rev. Howard MacAllister, officiating. Burial was in Masonic Cemetery.

Surviving in addition to his wife Agnes are a son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Karen Brasher of Weimar; a daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Frank Perez of Denton; three grandchildren, Scott Brasher, Michelle and Noel Perez; and one brother, Henry brasher Jr. of Weimar.

His pallbearers were Walter Scott, John Miksch, Robert F. Kalous, John Hajovsky, Malvin K. Merrem, Charlie Herder, Edward Pollak and Ed Hightower.

Weimar Mercury, May 21, 1981
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Brasher, Henry, Jr.

LONGTIME CIVIC LEADER

Heart Attack Fatal For H. Brasher, 86

Henry Brasher Jr., a Weimar business and civic leader for more than 60 years, died of a heart attack Saturday morning, June 27, while seated at the breakfast table. He was 86.

A few minutes later, as was still his daily habit, he would have been driving to his office at the automobile business he and his father founded in 1915.

He was a Buick dealer for 66 years, longer than anyone else in Buick's history, and a Chevrolet dealer for 49 years.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 29, from First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Howard MacAllister of Gonzales and Rev. Lyle Pierce, the Weimar pastor, officiating. Burial was in Masonic Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers were Sam K. Seymour Jr. of Columbus, and Malvin Merrem, Leslie Townsend, Robert F. Kalous, Herbert Pickett, Ernest Scott, Milton Booth and Jack Montgomery, all of Weimar.

Henry Brasher Jr. was born here January 19, 1895, the eldest of four sons of Henry Sr. and Mattie (Ferrell) Brasher. He was a 1910 graduate of Weimar High School.

After high school, in addition to helping out in the telephone business his family owned, he went to work at T. A. Hill State Bank. In December 1912, he took a job in the Jno. C. Hubbard Lumber Co. Then, in 1915, he and his father accepted the Buick agency, and in 1922, they moved into the building that Brasher Motor Co. occupies today.

Over the years, the company has expanded to many times its original scope, adding branches at Schulenburg and La Grange, along with a wholesale supply company and a finance company here.

At the time of his death Mr. Brasher was chairman of the board of directors of Hill Bank & Trust Co., a position he had held for many years. He was one of the original directors of Colorado County Federal Savings & Loan Association and was serving on the board.

He was president of the board of trustees of Weimar Independent School District from 1932 until retiring in 1973.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Weimar, where he served as Sunday School superintendent of 25 years and on the church board even longer. He was a 65-year member of the Masonic Lodge, having served as worshipful master and in other offices, and was a member of Arabia Temple Shrine.

He was a charter member of and still active in Weimar Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce, having held several offices in both. He helped found and served as a director of Golden Age Home, the Methodist sponsored retirement home in Lockhart, and was the driving force in getting Parkview Manor retirement home established here.

"Mr. Henry," as many of at least two generations knew him, was an honorary Lone Star Farmer in the Future Farmers of America, and an honorary chapter member in both Weimar and Schulenburg. He was also an avid supporter of the Little League program.

He married Willie Black here on April 26, 1916. She survives him, along with his daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and David Gunn of Weimar; grandchildren, Henry and Suzie Gunn of Weimar, Martha and John Marsac of Houston, Margaret Gunn and David William Gunn of Weimar, and great-grandchildren, Seth Gunn and Ian Marsac.

Mr. Brasher's death came only six weeks after that of his brother, former mayor F. F. (Teddy) Brasher. The other brothers, Jack and Laure, died a number of years ago.

The Weimar Mercury, July 2, 1981
Transcribed by Dennis Boatright

Brasher, Henry Sr.

Funeral services for H. Brasher, 68, descendant of a pioneer Weimar family, a life-time resident, of this town and long-time prominent business man here, whose death occurred in Memorial Hospital, Houston, Tuesday were held from the family residence Wednesday afternoon, with the Rev. J. C. Wilson of Brazoria, assisted by the Revs. J. H. Thompson and C. L. Boone of Weimar, officiating.

Mr. Brasher, who had been a resident of Weimar since this area was a tiny hamlet, was born, on Jan. 6, 1872, near Ammannsville, the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Brasher, early settlers of this section. After attending school in Weimar and having reached young manhood, he married Miss Mattie Ferrell on Jan. 10, 1893.

A month later, in February of 1893, along with E. F. Shortt, he purchased a lumber yard and remained to this business until October of the same year at which time he sold his interests to Mr. John Walker, father of Weimar's J. F. Walker.

In the fall of 1893, Mr. Brasher moved to San Antonio. where for approximately a year he was in business. Returning to Weimar he managed mid operated the Brasher & Moore Hardware store. This enterprise continued until 1910 at which time it was sold.

In the meantime, Mr. Brasher had purchased a telephone exchange which was to serve Weimar. Purchase was made in 1897 from a local group. For nearly thirty years then, Mr. Brasher headed this business, in effect, "pioneering" the telephone facilities for the town of Weimar. In 1928, he sold the system to the Southwest Telephone Company.

On June 1, 1915, he, with his son Henry Jr., established a motor company and automobile agency which has since became one of Weimar's largest, most successful and widely known commercial enterprises.

Mr. Brasher was a director of the Hill Bank and Trust Company and was at the time of his death, its active vice-president. He was a life-time member of the Weimar Methodist Church and held membership in the A. F. and M., R. A. M., Knights of Phythias, Woodmen of the World. He was a honorary member of the Weimar Fire Department of which he had served as a former chief, and was a former alderman, serving on Weimar's city council and school board for a number of years.

Survivors Include: his wife. Mrs. Mattie Brasher; three sons, Henry, Jr. Laure, and Francis F. Brasher, Weimar business men; a sister, Mrs. Cora B. Moore of Bay City, and two grandchildren, Jack and Catherine Brasher both of Weimar. A fourth son, Jack, expired in 1936.

Pall bearers included Stephen McCormick, W. H. Hopper, B. B. Braun, Henry J. Laas, J. C. Hubbard, E. Lauterstein, B. B. Holt, and Emil Fahrenthold.

Weimar places of business were closed here Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. as a memorial for Mr. Brasher and to enable everyone to attend the final rites.

In the passing of Mr. Brasher, Weimar has lost one of its finest citizens. Energetic, resourceful and capable business man, Mr. Brasher contributed much to the development of Weimar. A loyal friend, helpful and useful, he will be missed by all who knew him.

Attesting to the high esteem held for Mr. Brasher, a multitude of friends, many of them life-time ones whom he had known since childhood days, came to Weimar Wednesday to pay last tribute.

Rev. J. C. Wilson, a former five-year pastor here of the Methodist Church paid eloquent and appropriate tribute to the memory of the deceased in services at the family home and at Oddfellows Cemetery. A thought-provoking and comforting message, "Brother” Wilson delivered one of the most eloquent eulogies ever heard at a similar memorial here.

To sorrowing family members, relatives and friends, the Mercury extends its most sincere sympathy

Weimar Mercury, March 29, 1940, page 1

Brasher, Jack Jr.

Jack Brasher, Jr., 81, passed away at his home in Weimar June 9 after a long battle with heart disease.

Jack was born in Weimar on April 11, 1927 to Jack Brasher, Sr. and Laura (Everett) Brasher. His father died when Jackie was just nine years old, and he was then raised by his mother, his aunt, Margaret Everett Griffith, his uncle, C.L. Griffith and his grandmother, Annabelle Neal Everett. After attending two years at Texas Military Institute in San Antonio, he graduated from Columbus High School in 1944. After graduation, he attended Texas A&M College in College Station. While at A&M, he joined the Navy soon after his 18th birthday to fight in World War II, serving on the USS Fargo. After the war, Jack returned to Texas A&M College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering. During that time, he met the love of his life, Betty Ann Standley, a coed at the University of Texas in Austin. They married on September 17, 1949 in Wichita Falls.

Jack took over the Brasher Insurance Agency, started by his father and continued by his mother, after graduation from Texas A&M. In 1950, he returned to service in the Navy during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Jack returned to Weimar to live and raise his family. In 1989, Jack sold the Brasher Insurance Agency and turned his attention to ranching. He was happiest driving around the family ranch and overseeing its operation. Jack was a member of the Rotary, Masons and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Jack Brasher was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Brasher, as well as children Ann Brasher West and husband Greg of The Woodlands, Marilyn Brasher Hollar Wade and husband Roger of Austin, John Michael Brasher and wife Becky of Houston, and James Everett Brasher of Katy. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Laura Elizabeth West Dobbs and husband Hans of Dallas; Sarah Frances West of Dallas; Katherine Ann West of The Woodlands; Jonathan Brasher West of The Woodlands; Charles Griffith Hollar of Seattle, Washington; Neal Calcote Hollar of Austin; John Everett Brasher and wife Heidi of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Hugh Scott Brasher of Houston; and Christopher Neal Brasher and wife Mandi of East Bernard. He is further survived by one great grandson, Jackson Everett Brasher, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and by two cousins, Laura Ann Dick Rau of Columbus and Thomas F. Brasher and wife Karen of Weimar.

Funeral services took place at the First United Methodist Church in Weimar on June 11. Burial followed at the Masonic Cemetery in Weimar.

Colorado County Citizen, June 25, 2008
Courtesy The Citizen

Brasher, Laura (Everett)

Brasher

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Laura Everett Brasher, Thursday, March 20 at First Baptist Church in Columbus under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home, with the Rev. Raymond Cox officiating.

Burial was at Masonic Cemetery in Weimar.

Mrs. Brasher was born March 30, 1902, in Alleyton to James J. Everett and Annabel Neal Everett. She married Jack Brasher, Sr. December 9, 1925 in Alleyton.

Mrs. Brasher was a retired in insurance agent. She was a resident of Weimar for 27 years; Alleyton, 34 years and Columbus for two years.

Mrs. Brasher was a Baptist and she was affiliated with D.A.R., D.R.T., County Historical Commission and very active in the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include: one son, Jack Brasher of Weimar; one sister, Mrs. Margaret Griffith of Columbus; four grandchildren, Dr. John M. Brasher, Ann West, James E. Brasher and Marilyn Hollar Brasher and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Brasher, Sr.

Pallbearers were Buddy Rau, James Dunn Seymour, Robert Kalous, Tommy Brasher, Henry Gunn and Gary Braun.

Colorado County Citizen, March 27, 1986
Transcribed by Dennis Boatright

Many hearts in and around Weimar were grieved when news of Ms. Laura Brasher’s death was flashed over the wires Tuesday morning of last week. Her death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. A. Moore, at Bay City, where she had been visiting for several weeks. Funeral arrangements were made and the body transported to Weimar [Odd Fellows Cemetery] for burial, the funeral taking place Wednesday afternoon from the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. C. E. Duve, with interment in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. A large crowd of mourning relatives and friends was present to witness the last sad ceremonies. Rev. J. C. Wilson, Methodist, pastor, conducted the funeral services both at the home and at the grave.

The pall bearers were six grandsons of decedent, namely; Henry, Jack and Laurie Brasher, Frederick Duve, Chas. Munroe Moore and Glennon Moore, followed by two other grandsons, Rex Duve and Francis Brasher.

Mrs. Brasher, nee Moore, was born in Marshal county, Miss., Jan 9, 1841, and was slightly over 84 years of age at the time of her death. She came to Texas in early girlhood. Dec. 23, 1867, she was united in marriage to Chas M. Brasher, at LaGrange. To this union four children were born, three of whom survive, namely: H. Brasher, Sr., of Weimar, Mrs. G. A. Moore of Bay City and Mrs. C. E. Duve, this city. Another daughter, Miss Lizzie Brasher, died a number of years ago. Ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild are also among the survivors. Mrs. Brasher and husband moved to Weimar in 1875, five years after this place was established. Her husband died in 1877. Mrs. Brasher was a charter member of the Weimar Methodist Church, and for years her hospitable home was the Methodist preacher’s home before any parsonage was built. Up to the time when her declining years began to tell on her strength, she was one of the most active workers in church, civic and social affairs in our city.

Mrs. Brasher was truly a good woman, the soul of hospitality and those who knew her in earlier life can recall with pleasure the many pleasant social functions at her hospitable home. She loved young people, and many of the most pleasant social gatherings every held in Weimar were given in her home and under her direction. She loved church work, also, and for years was an active worker for same, as well as in the Cemetery Association and the various church organizations of her church. As a wife and mother she was devoted and ___ to the end, as a neighbor and friend, she was ready to extend every possible courtesy, and in her death our community and this section in general has lost one of its most beloved and highly regarded citizens.

The Mercury tenders its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

Weimar Mercury, February 27, 1925

Brasher, Laure

This community lost one of its most active citizens last Thursday afternoon in the death of 48-year-old Laure Brasher.

Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon by Rev. J. M. McDonald at the Hubbard Funeral Home and at the grave by Masons of Weimar and surrounding towns.

Although Laure’s family and friends had known that his illness was incurable by any mortal means, it was hard to realize that his man who until a few short weeks ago had followed and participated in sports and the outdoor life with so much vigor was so suddenly gone.

It was in April that doctors diagnosed his case as lung cancer; it was several weeks later that they said he was beyond medical help. The courage with which he faced this fact and bore up under the remaining few days was something to be admired and remembered by everyone. A great source of solace to his family and friends was that he suffered no physical pain throughout his illness.

Carrying the rural mail had been Laure’s occupation for the past 12 years; golf, baseball, and other sports had been the hub of his activities for most of his life. As head of the Weimar Golf Club he had spearheaded its development for many years; as game announcer, he was instrumental in building the fame of Weimar’s semipro baseball program; he had been player, referee, and ardent fan in almost every sport.

Only recently he had been elected Worshipful Master of the local Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Methodist Church here and for a number of years had been president and an active booster of the Methodist Men’s Bible Class. Shortly after World War I he had served in the U. S. Navy.

Laure was born August 30, 1901, the son of Hans and Mattie Ferrell Brasher, in the same room of the same house in which he died. (The old Ferrell homestead was later replaced, except the foundation, by the present modern home.)

He married Miss Edna Kunetka at the Methodist Church here on January 4, 1933; Weimar has been their only home.

In addition to his wife he leaves his mother, Mrs. Mattie Brasher; and two brothers, Henry Brasher, Jr., and Mayor F. F. Brasher; all are of Weimar.

Serving as pallbearers at the funeral were Earl Smith, J. B. Hutson, Walter Williams, Walter Black, Mannie Lauterstein, Dan Herder, Grady Little, and Conrad Reichert.

Weimar Mercury, August 4, 1950, page 1

Brasher, Lizzie

DIED, in this city, Friday at 6 ‘clock p.m., of typhoid pneumonia, at the family residence, Miss Lizzie Brasher, eldest daughter of Mrs. Laura Brasher. Miss Lizzie had been in bad health for several months, but week before last she was able to be up, and all her many friends were confident that her recovery was permeant[sic]. Vain hope, however, for on Easter Sunday (in the afternoon), she was taken with relapse and compelled to give up. She was just in the prime of life--handsome, accomplished, a true christian lady and beloved by everyone. It might well be said of her that “Amiable, she won all; intelligent she charmed all; fervent, she loved all; and dead, she saddened all.” Her remains were laid to rest in the Odd Fellows’ cemetery Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock, Rev. H. M Haynie of the Methodist church performing the burial service.
“Dear is the spot where christians sleep
And sweet the strain the angels pour.
O! why should we in anguish weep?
They are not lost but gone before.”

Weimar Mercury, April 18, 1891

Brasher, Mattie E. (Ferrell)

Funeral services for Mrs. Hans Brasher, 90, were held in the Weimar Methodist church yesterday at 5 p.m., with burial in the Weimar Masonic cemetery.

Mrs. Brasher died in Youens hospital at Weimar Tuesday afternoon. Oldest member of the Weimar Methodist church, she was a charter member of the Womans Society of Christian Service and of the Parent-Teachers and the Cemetery associations. Born Jan. 17, 1873, her maiden name was Mattie Ferrell. Her husband, who died in 1940, founded his own telephone company in Weimar and was founder of Brasher Motor co.

Survivors are two sons, Henry Jr., now president of the motor company, and Francis, mayor of Weimar; 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Two sons, Jack and Laure, died earlier.

Pallbearers were Jack Montgomery, Henry Herder, John Hajovsky, Milton Booth, Festus Carroll, Clay Doyle, Walter Scott and F. O. Boettcher.

Colorado County Citizen, July 18, 1963, page 1

Brasher, Preston P.

Mrs. Jewel Brasher of Lissie has recently been notified by the War Department of the death of her husband, Private Preston P. Brasher, in Germany. He had been reported missing since September 17, 1944.

Memorial services will be held for Private Brasher at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at the Evangelist church in Lissie..

Besides the wife, survivors include a two year old daughter, Patsy Ann; J. W. Brasher, father; three brothers, C. C. Brasher of Eagle Lake, C. M. Brasher of Lovelady, and S-2/c Hobart Brasher, now serving in the Navy; and three sisters, Billie Brasher of Houston, Mrs. A. C. Willingham of San Antonio, and Lavon Brasher of San Antonio.

Colorado County Citizen, May 3, 1845