Jacob Luchenbach: German Immigrant, Texas Pioneer, and Patriarch

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

The story of Jacob and Justina Luchenbach is one of perseverance, hope, and quiet influence The mid-19th century witnessed a remarkable tide of German immigration to Texas, a movement that profoundly shaped the cultural and economic landscape of the Lone Star State. Among these intrepid pioneers stands Jacob Luchenbach, whose journey from the Duchy of … 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

Ride for the Brand: Cody Davenport’s Mission of Legacy and Loyalty

Cody Davenport leans casually on a fence, smiling with a cowboy hat in hand and dressed in denim.

Cody Davenport isn’t the kind of CEO who spends his days behind a desk, distant from the work that drives the heart of his organization. Instead, the leader of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is a hands-on, boots-in-the-dirt Texan who can often be found alongside volunteers, loading livestock, or training with his staff … Read more

THE PLAZA

An elderly John Eddie Vogt in a red plaid shirt standing outdoors with a gentle smile, embodying wisdom and nostalgia.

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

Albert Carl Riedel: Kendall County’s Unsung Storyteller

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

In a world before instant gratification and digital archives, one man in the heart of the Texas Hill Country took it upon himself to ensure that the vibrant, hard-won stories of Kendall County’s past weren’t lost to the winds of time. Meet Albert C. Riedel (1851–1924), a name that might not be on every monument, … Read more

Caspar Real (1828–1892): German Pioneer of Kendall County, Texas

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

By the mid-19th century, political unrest and economic uncertainty were driving countless German families to seek a new life across the Atlantic. Among them was a determined young man named Caspar Real, whose journey from Hanover to the Texas Hill Country would help shape the heart and soul of Kendall County. From Hanover to the … Read more

Navigating the Whiskey Shelf

Renita Reavis smiling in front of a home, representing her passion for Texas whiskey and distilling.

We are entering a time of year when special bottles are bought to honor our loved ones or celebrate milestones. Stores will see an increase in demand preceding Father’s Day. Wedding seasons are next in the lineup as brides search for the special bottle for their grooms or the grooms look for the special bottle … Read more

The Pursuit of Purpose: Why Men Seek to Leave a Legacy

Michael G. Ethridge standing on a balcony in Kendall County holding a cigar

As the seasons change and the world around us bursts into life, I find myself reflecting on the concept of purpose. It’s a topic that resonates with many of us, especially as we navigate the responsibilities of work, family, and community. There’s something almost primal about the need to create, to build, and to leave … Read more

Cazando El Pavo Del Rio Grande – (hunting the Rio Grande Turkey)

Jed Mazour, outdoorsman and contributor to The Kendall Gentleman, dressed in camouflage gear with a scenic autumn mountain backdrop.

I am going to take two steps forward and one back with this article. I know I just got done talking to you about the transition from hunting season to spring fishing. But, there is one last hunting opportunity here in Texas that comes at the same transitional time. Spring turkey season! I am not … Read more