Gustave Schleicher 

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The founder of Schleicher County was Gustave Schleicher. He was born in Darmstadt, Germany on November 19, 1823.  He served as an engineer in the construction of railroads and in other internal improvement projects in Germany. Gustave Schleicher married Elizabeth Tinsley Howard in 1856 and during their marriage they had seven children. In 1847, he came to Texas and settled in New Braunfels.   In 1850 Gustave was elected to the Texas Legislature. Then he attained his American Citizenship on December 8, 1852.  While receiving a spot on the Texas Legislature he was also elected as surveyor of the Bexar Land District.  At the end of his term Mr. Schleicher divided the Bexar Land Districts into small counties.  The name Schleicher was given to our new county in honor of him.  Gustave was also a captain in the confederate army.   Gustave was elected to forty- fourth and forty-fifth congresses as a democrat.  Gustave was a mountain of a man.  He stood six foot eight and weighed three hundred and fifty pounds.  Due to his large stature Gustave had a special made chair for his size while he served in congress.   He died in Washington, DC on January 10, 1879.