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Surnames: JOERGER,Walsh,Kennedy
Classification: Biography
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Message Board Post:
JOERGER, F. X. (1880-1950). F. X. Joerger, lawyer, was born in Tipton, Indiana, on March
10, 1880, the son of Bernard J. and Margaret (Walsh) Joerger. He received his education at
the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and at the University of Michigan Law
School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He set up practice in Rosenberg, Texas, in 1906. In 1911 he
married Mary E. Kennedy of Niles, Michigan; they had two children. Joerger was legal
advisor to Rosenberg Bank and Trust and helped organize several school districts. He
incorporated the Fort Bend Telephone Company and planned many of the subdivisions in the
town. He contributed his services free of charge to many churches in the area that were
building and acquiring property. In 1907 Joerger established the Rosenberg Abstract
Company, now the oldest established business in Rosenberg. He was an active attorney with
an extensive practice in real estate law and probate work. In 1921 he became
secretary-treasurer of the Ro!
senberg National Farm Loan Association. He became an attorney for Fort Bend Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Rosenberg in 1940 and continued in that capacity until his
death. In 1928 he became county judge of Fort Bend County and began an aggressive plan of
road construction for the county. The road to Needville was not paved, and much of the
county lacked hard-surface roads. During his term of office the road from Needville to
Beasley was widened, and an agreement was reached to build a bridge linking Needville to
Wharton. Roads to Powell Point and Blue Ridge were constructed. Joerger was opposed by
many landowners. He brought the first county agent to Fort Bend County. Out of this
developed 4-H programs and related farm programs and ultimately the Fort Bend County Fair.
He encouraged a drainage program. During his term as county judge the county jail was
improved. He pushed for a countywide stock-law election. During his term a school was
established at Missouri Cit!
y. Joerger's family acquired a farm on the Brazos River near a waterfall, where he
raised purebred Herefords and fine sheep. He cleared most of his acreage on the Brazos
River and grafted soft-shell pecans on the pecan trees. The farm also raised sugarcane,
cotton, and corn. During the Great Depression Joerger used his lots in Rosenberg for a
building where people could can meat and vegetables. He and his wife were active in Holy
Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg and in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond. His
contribution to the community and to Fort Bend County was valuable and extensive. He died
on August 18, 1950. Mary E. Joerger died on September 15, 1971.
Kathleen Joerger Lindsey
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