The  Heusers of Gummersbach, Germany were a very prominent family. There is 
much written about Johann Peter Heuser, but most of it is in German. Two 
members of the Heuser family emigrated to Texas at different times. We don't 
think they knew one another in Texas, but fortunately their descendants are 
getting to know each other now. 

FRANZ EUGEN HEUSER (EUGEN KAILER)
When Lisa and I went to Germany in 2003, we knew a great deal about my great 
grandmother Tina Scheid, but little about her husband, Eugen (Heuser) Kailer, 
other than what was in his cousin Bertha's letters about his immediate family. 
Our findings in Gummersbach were a surprise to us as well as the Germans! We 
met Gerhard Pomykaj the City Historian. He was very gracious, but said Heuser 
was a common name, there was no Heuser who went to Texas that he knew of, and 
doubted if we would find anyone. When I showed him the postcard, he was 
amazed! He said that wasn't  in the Heuser book, and took it out to show us. 
We weren't surprised, since Franz Eugene Heuser deserted his family, fled to 
Texas with Tina, and changed his name to Eugen Kailer.

Gerhardt copied the Heuser book for us, and told us to come back and meet the 
local historian, Jurgen Woelke, the next day.  From there, we went to the 
bookstore to see what we could find. The lovely sales clerk said her husband 
was very knowledgable about Gummersbach, and would give us a tour that 
evening. He was Jurgen Woelke, who has written many books on the history of 
Gummersbach! Mr. Woelke did indeed give me the grand tour, pointing out all 
the houses. 

LOUISA HEUSER WUESTE
When I commented that I wished I could find a relative in the United States, 
Mr. Woelke said he had met some from San Antonio Texas! WOW!! When I got home 
I made contact with Mary Nel Staffel, and her sister Barbeth. They 
have given me a wealth of information on Louise Wueste nee Heuser, Eugen's 
cousin and prominent Texas artist. Gene Wueste of Baytown gave me a huge 
amount of information, and we have enjoyed seeking out more history in Texas.  

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Cordelia and Peter Koppitz from 
Germany. Cordelia  is the great granddaughter of Bertha Müller, who wrote all 
the letters to my great aunt, Emmy Kailer. They shared even more information 
from the German viewpoint. 

Thanks to Rainer Jonas for creating an even larger tree and encouraging me to 
continue my search. My next goal is to meet Rainer and his family and see 
Ramona dance.

Hopefully this website will bring us all together.

Sarah Reveley
daughter of Loree Reveley nee Klein
granddaughter of  Hildegard Klein nee Kailer
great granddaughter of  Eugen (Heuser) Kailer and Tina Kailer nee Scheid