Scherff, Ernst, 1826-1897

Born at Goettingen, Prussia, March 31, 1826, Ernst Scherff emigrated to the United States in 1849. Settling in New Braunfels, Texas in 1855, Scherff became a clerk in the Ferguson Brothers General Store, and bought the store in 1860. He married Sophie Reich on October 15, 1859. Scherff continued to operate his store at various sites in New Braunfels until he retired in June 1887, when he sold the business to George Knoke and George Eiband. Ernst Scherff died June 9, 1897.

From the description of Ernst Scherff papers, 1860-1881, (bulk 1868-1876). (San Jacinto Museum of History). WorldCat record id: 47139248

Born at Goettingen, Prussia, March 31, 1826, Ernst Scherff emigrated with his widowed mother and two siblings to the United States in 1849. After living in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, they settled in New Braunfels, Texas, in 1855 where Scherff became a clerk in the Ferguson Brothers General Store at 200 West San Antonio Street. He married Sophie Reich on October 15, 1859. When the Ferguson brothers died, Scherff bought the store from the heirs and reopened it in November 1860 under his own name.

Prevented by poor health from serving in the Confederate Army, Scherff conducted business in one of the two general stores kept open during the Civil War. On December 14, 1864, he moved into the Gustav Conrads building on the town square and became the largest store in New Braunfels. The railroad came to New Braunfels in 1880 and Scherff began to order merchandise by the carload. Between 1881 and 1887, he controlled a monopoly on all the beer sold to the saloons in town. In 1883, he constructed a new store beside the old building. Scherff retired in June 1887 selling the business to his clerks, George Knoke, nis nephew, and George Eiband, who changed the name of the business to Knoke and Eiband. Ernst Scherff died June 9, 1897, at age 71. He is buried in the Comal Cemetery, New Braunfels, Texas.

A variant spelling of Scherff is Sherff. Further information about Ernst Scherff can be obtained from the Sophienburg Museum and Archives, 200 Seguin, New Braunfels, Texas 78130.

From the guide to the Ernst Scherff papers MC026. 47139248., 1860-1881, (Bulk: 1868-1876), (Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library, )