Starting October 7, the San Jacinto Monument's Observation Floor will close for renovation, open on weekends, with discounted museum admission during this time.

Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

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EHLINGER, JOSEPH -- Born in Alsace, France, in 1792. The late Judge John P. Ehlinger of La Grange, grandson of Joseph Ehlinger, wrote to the compiler June 15, 1933 that Mr. Ehlinger was in Napoleon's army and followed him to Moscow and return; that he emigrated to the United States and settled in New Orleans where for a time he followed his trade of cabinet maker and carpenter, leaving his family in France. He stated that in 1835 he left by horseback for Texas.

In headright Certificate No. 39 issued to Mr. Ehlinger February 1, 1838 for a league and labor of land by the Colorado County Board of Land Commissioners it is stated that he arrived in Texas prior to May 2, 1835. He was a member of Captain William J. E. Heard's Company of Citizen Soldiers at San Jacinto and on November 8, 1838 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 599 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On __ he received Bounty Certificate No. 2136 for 320 acres of land for his services from February 25 to May 25, 1836.

In 1840 Mr. Ehlinger returned to Alsace for his wife, Mrs. Mary Ehlinger, and their three children. Returning to Texas, the family lived for about five years in Houston. In 1845, Mr. Ehlinger began building a house on his league of land in Colorado County, where he intended to make his permanent residence. Returning to visit his family, in crossing Buffalo Bayou the feet of the horse on which he was riding became entangled in grape vines throwing Mr. Ehlinger in the water and drowning him. He is buried in Founders Memorial Park, Houston. Mrs. Ehlinger died several years later at her home in Colorado County.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Ehlinger, all born in France, were Charles, Elizabeth, and Henry Ehlinger.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. William J. E. Heard

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Elinger
  • Date of Birth: 1792
  • Birthplace: France, Haut-Rhin, Alsace
  • Origin: Louisiana, New Orleans
  • Came to Texas: 1835
  • Date of Death: 1845
  • Burial Place: Founder's Memorial Park, Houston, Texas
  • Comments: Army of Napoleon Bonaparte, 1812.
  • Bounty Certificate: 2136
  • Donation Certificate: 599
  • Profession: Cabinet maker, carpenter
  • Wife: Marie Anne Koehl
  • Children: Charles Ehlinger; Elizabeth Ehlinger Hahn; Henry Ehlinger