Three Hundred NinetyFirst in
the Famous People (FP) Series - Ferdinand Jacob
Lindheimer
Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer, naturalist and
newspaper editor, was born on May 21, 1801 in Germany.
Lindheimer is often called the father of Texas botany because
of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in
Texas.
In 1844 Lindheimer settled in New Braunfels and was granted land on
the banks of the Comal River, where he continued his plant
collecting and attempted to establish a botanical garden. He is
credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species, among
them a milkweed, a loco weed, a mimosa, a prickly pear, and a rock
daisy.
He died in 1879, was buried
in New Braunfels, and his house on Comal Street is now a museum.
However, in the Jacobs Cemetery, the marker for one Ferd Jacobs
stands close to this baby soda bottle cache. One must wonder
though, was it suppose to read 'Fred' Jacobs or was his name really
'Ferd'?
I'm sure you will want to read more about ole Ferdinand, so here's
the link to the article in the
Handbook of Texas Online.