Daniell, L. E. Types of Successful Men of
Texas. Published by author,
Austin,
Texas 1890. Page 203-206
Goliad.
Captain George Stromfeltz is a veteran of the "Lost Cause." On the declaration of war between the North and South, he promptly enlisted as a private soldier in the Eighth
Texas Cavalry, Terry's Rangers, Company G, and followed that roving and ubiquitous troop all over the South, taking part in every engagement, large and small, in which the celebrated "Rangers" fought. In addition to the numerous battles and skirmishes in which they were engaged west of the
Mississippi river, they fought at
Shiloh,
Champion Hill, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chicamauga,
Knoxville, Atlanta, Black River (
North Carolina), etc. A glance at the map will give some idea of the range over which these "Rangers" ranged; from the extremes of the Confederacy, north, east, south and west. They were very Cossacks, and lived in the saddle. It is a remarkable fact that notwithstanding the great number and severe character of the battles in which this gallant soldier was engaged, he was only once wounded; and then his life was saved by a miracle. Near
Rome,
Georgia, in one of the many fights the Rangers had with the enemy, Mr. Stormfeltz, who had, in the meantime, been promoted to the command of his company (Company "G"), was struck by a minie ball on the left side. It struck his watch and its force was thus broken; otherwise the wound would doubtless have been fatal.
Captain
Stormfeltz is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth
Stormfeltz. His grandfather, John Stormfelz, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War of 1776. George was born in
Lancaster City,
Pennsylvania.
He was given a fair
English education, and set out in life as a carpenter and contractor. He came to
Texas in 1857, setting at Liberty; here he remained only seven months, when he removed to Goliad, where he still lives. He is engaged in the mill and ginning business, being of the firm of
Redding & Stromfeltz, and has several thousand dollars invested.
He has been married twice; his first wife was Miss Sarah Campball, who died in 1871; he then remained single till 1884, when he married Mrs. E. A. Haden. He had but one child,
Valentine West, who died in 1883, aged eleven years.
In 1885
Capt. Stormfeltz was appointed
Sheriff, to fill an unexpired term; he was then elected, and served two consecutive terms. He is a Democrat, as are most Confederate veterans, and canvassed his county the past two elections. He is a Methodist and a member of the Masonic fraternity. In height he is five feet, eight inches; has blue eyes and sandy hair and beard, and is a staunch and much respected citizen.
