In 1847, Hermann Spiess, Ferdinand Ludwig Herff, and Gustav Schleicher founded the "Darmstädter Vierziger" (the Society of Forty), sometimes referred to as the Socialistic Colony and Society. The founders, as well as many of the members, were from Darmstadt, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. They originally planned to establish socialistic communes in Wisconsin.
Spiess and Herff were approached in Wiesbaden by Adelsverein vice president and executive secretary-business director Count Carl Frederick Christian of Castell-Castell, who made a deal with them to colonize 200 families on the Fisher–Miller Land Grant territory in Texas. In return, they were to receive $12,000 in money, livestock, and equipment and provisions for a year. After the first year, the colonies were expected to support themselves.King (1967) p.122 The colonies attempted were Castell, Leiningen, Bettina, Schoenburg, and Meerholz in Llano County; Darmstädler Farm in Comal County; and Tusculum in Kendall County. Of these, only two survived: Castell and Tusculum, which was renamed Boerne in 1852. The colonies failed after the Adelsverein funding expired, and because of conflict of structure and authorities. Some members moved to other Adelsverein settlements in Texas; others moved elsewhere, or returned to Germany.
The Forty The following list is derived from the first-hand account of Louis Reinhardt, as well as other historical records.; ;
Darmstadt Society of Forty Name ShipNotes Otto AmelungSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Lawyer Heinrich Backofen (circa 1804–1872) St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Maker of musical instruments Peter BubSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Maker of musical instruments Unknown Deichert Blacksmith Christoph Flach St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Mechanic Friedrich Wilhelm von Wrede, Jr. St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Wrede School in Gillespie County, Texas was established on his land. He was part of the German negotiating team for the Meusebach–Comanche Treaty. He served in the Texas House of Representatives Nov 7, 1859 - Nov 8, 1861 (Note: Texas became part of the Confederate States of America on March 2, 1861.) Rudolph FuchsLawyer Adolph HahnSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Lieutenant of the military Unknown Heff Carpenter Ferdinand Ludwig Herff (1820–1912)1846PhysicianUnknown HerrmannForester Christian Hesse LawyerJohannes Hoerner Louis Kappelhoff Ship carpenter Heinrich KattmannSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847 Adam KoeppelSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847 Jacob Kuechler (1823–1893)St. Pauli, July 4, 1847 ForesterGeorg August LerchSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Architect Ferdinand Lindheimer (1801–1879)1834Naturalist Louis FriedrichSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Forester Unknown Merting Minister Friedrich MichelSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Brewer Franz Morde Edward MuellerSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Agriculturalist Unknown Neff Carpenter Unknown Neff Butcher Unknown Ottmer Miller Ludwig (Louis) ReinhardtSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Botanist Unknown Rockan American who joined in Victoria, Texas Phillipp Friedrich Karl Theodore (Fritz) Schenck (1820–1875) St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Forester Gustav Schleicher (1823–1879)St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Engineer Theodore SchlenningSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Physician Leopold SchulzPhysician Anton Schunk Maker of musical instruments Hermann Spiess (c.1818–1873)Co-founder of the Bettina, Texas, commune in 1847, he became commissioner-general of the Adelsverein after the resignation of John O. Meusebach. August StraussSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847Mechanic Adam Vogt (1822–1882) St. Pauli, July 4, 1847 Forester; signed the petition to create Kendall County; first Judge of Kendall County Julius WagnerSt. Pauli, July 4, 1847 Lawyer Karl WundtLawyerPhilip Zoeller (1818–1900)St. Pauli, July 4, 1847Architect who designed the Kendall County Courthouse.
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