Born in a log cabin in Guadalupe County, Texas to German-speaking parents, Henry Theodore Brauchle began school in Comal County. At age 9 he first learned to speak English. By age 20, he was clerking at Mumme's General Store in San Antonio and attending Alamo Business College where he studied bookkeeping and penmanship. After earning a teaching certificate, he taught at Agua Dulce in Ditto, Texas for a term before moving to Helotes School in what is now Northside Independent School District. During summers, he continued his education at Peacock and Brackenridge Normal Schools.
Brauchle soon met Eleanor Jane Robinson, and after a year-long courtship, presented her with a piano as an engagement gift. The couple resided in one room of the two-room Helotes School. Because Helotes was a German community, none of Schoolmaster Brauchle's 48 students spoke English.
The Brauchles purchased a 200-acre farm near Helotes School and had 10 children. Brauchle played violin and made musical instruments by hand. In addition, he formed a family orchestra.
A pillar of the community, the Helotes teacher helped found Zion Lutheran Church of Helotes, and served as Helotes School Trustee, election judge, and owner/operator for the Helotes telephone system. He farmed, ran a dairy, raised livestock and kept an extensive apiary. His grandson, Charles Kuentz, also is a musician, educator and NISD namesake.
Brauchle soon met Eleanor Jane Robinson, and after a year-long courtship, presented her with a piano as an engagement gift. The couple resided in one room of the two-room Helotes School. Because Helotes was a German community, none of Schoolmaster Brauchle's 48 students spoke English.
The Brauchles purchased a 200-acre farm near Helotes School and had 10 children. Brauchle played violin and made musical instruments by hand. In addition, he formed a family orchestra.
A pillar of the community, the Helotes teacher helped found Zion Lutheran Church of Helotes, and served as Helotes School Trustee, election judge, and owner/operator for the Helotes telephone system. He farmed, ran a dairy, raised livestock and kept an extensive apiary. His grandson, Charles Kuentz, also is a musician, educator and NISD namesake.