THRIFTY GERMAN

Hands holding a collection of pennies, symbolizing thrift and careful saving in early Boerne, Texas.

Published in 2011, the late John Eddie Vogt’s book, Witches, Bitches, and Other Small Town Folks, brings to life the quirky, unforgettable, and entertaining tales of growing up and living in Kendall County from the 1930s through the 1960s. Thanks to the gracious permission of his family, The Kendall Gentleman is honored to share excerpts … Read more

Bob and Della Russell: Early Pioneers Who Helped Shape Boerne’s Business and Cultural Life

Historic photograph of early Boerne, Texas showing unpaved Main Street, storefronts, and horses in the late 19th century.

By the time Kendall County was beginning to find its modern footing, it was families like Bob and Della Russell who quietly but decisively helped turn a frontier community into a town with staying power. Their story is not one of flashy headlines or political power, but of steady work, civic responsibility, and an enduring … Read more

The Enduring Legacy of E. O. Rust: A Kendall County Pioneer

Historic photo of early 20th-century cars parked at the Kendall County Fair, representing the era of E.O. Rust.

Kendall County, with its rolling hills, spring-fed creeks, and rich cultural history, has long been shaped by men and women whose stamina and vision built community from the rugged Texas frontier. Among those early builders stands E. O. Rust (1855–1937), a figure whose entrepreneurial drive and deep commitment to civic life left a lasting imprint … Read more

Harvesting Legacy: Andy Ivankovich’s Mission of Service and Strength

“Andy Ivankovich at Singing Water Vineyards in Comfort, Texas, with a bottle of Freedom red wine and a glass on the tasting room bar.”

When Andy Ivankovich first drove down Mill Dam Road in Comfort, Texas, he wasn’t looking for a vineyard. Truth is, he’d never even tasted Texas wine. What he sought was just a quiet slice of the Hill Country, somewhere to clear brush on weekends with his kids and let his mind rest from years of … Read more

Frederick Voges: A Hardworking Pioneer of Kendall County

Tom Allred, a respected Kendall County leader and contributor to The Kendall Gentleman, photographed in classic Western attire.

If you’ve spent any time digging into the history of Kendall County, you’ve probably come across the name Frederick Voges. He wasn’t the flashiest figure in Texas history, but he was one of those hardworking, salt-of-the-earth folks who helped turn this part of the Hill Country into a thriving community. A German immigrant who made … Read more