The
Holmgreen
Family
1934
San Antonio, Texas
Donated by
Jane Brough Benson
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FOUR BROTHERS
Taken at the Alamo Iron Works
(the day after Julius’ 79th birthday)
The brother’s parents, George and Bertha Holmgreen, were newly weds from Berlin, Germany, when they
emigrated to New Orleans in 1851. It was a quarter of a century before he bought an interest in the Alamo
Iron Works in San Antonio, Texas, in 1877. This was a fast growing area and the business grew in concert
Their three oldest sons all worked with George in building the business, until his accident and death in 1899.
To my knowledge their only formal education was as apprentices in a business wherever George could place
them.
The business was incorporated around the time of World War II, and remained in the Holmgreen family until
1988 when it was sold. It is still a significant business.
1. Alfred Fredrich Holmgreen- (1868-1944) married 1889 to Lily Ann Erwin. Alfred wandered around for
a few years, came and worked at AWI for a while, but ultimately moved on. He was the youngest son and
was an independent soul who moved to South Texas where he established ice houses with compressors
built by the Alamo Iron Works.
2. Eugene Adolph Holmgreen (1864 -1947) married 1888 to Lottie Bitter. Eugene was an apprenticed teenager at the time George bought the Alamo Iron Works, and was the first to work there. He followed Julius
as business executive, retiring in the late 1930s, but retaining his interest and activity as scrap metal broker.
It was Eugene’s sons, Melrose, Herbert and Eugene Jr. who lead the business from the mid 1920s to 1973.
John Holmgreen, Julius’s grandson, and Baxter Grier, a relative of Eugene’s wife, carried on until 1988
when the business was sold for want of active family members.
3. Richard Johann Holmgreen (1861 -1959) married 1877 to Grace Miller Richard and Julius had moved
north and both were married with children, but ultimately they came to work with their father. Richard
was always the man with creative hands, and therefore was the Pattern Maker - a most essential craft in
any Foundry. Richard moved his family to Seguin for health reasons and both his boys, Warren and Elmer,
attended A&M University and found other careers.
4. Julius Hermann Holmgreen (1855-1943) married 1877 to Louella Clifton. Julius was undoubtedly acting
head of AWI but retired first, becoming more active in civic affairs such as Rotary Club and Chamber of
Commerce. Julius’s sons, George and Hermann, both worked for the AIW but died rather young.
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THE FOUR WIVES
Taken in someone’s yard a few days fter Julius’ 79th birthday, Feb.27, 1934
5. Lily Ann Erwin Holmgreen (1871 - 1954) Lily was born in Alabama She married Alfred 1889
6. Charlotte ‘Lottie” Louise Bitter Holmgreen (1870-1951) Charlotte was born in San Antonio, the only
Texan She married Eugene 1888
7. Grace Electa Miller Holmgreen (1866-1954) Grace was married to Richard in Milwaukee, Wis. although
we have no evidence that was where she was born. She married Rchard 1877
8. Louella Catherine Clifton Holmgreen (1857-1943) Louella Clifton was courted by Julius in Clarkesville,
Tennessee, but I have no evidence that she was born there.She married Julius 1877
All four couples raised four children to maturity, although several of them lost immature children.
They all had girl siblings, most of whom remained in the San Antonio area, and all of whom have retained
deep family interests.
I sponsored two Holmgreen Family Reunions in 2000 and 2002, and gave a slide show of historic pictures at
each. As a result the calls came for a book and I have spent the past three years creating and publishing The
Holmgreens and The Alamo Iron Works.
I have placed copies of the book in ten public libraries and archives, including SAGHS, and distributed almost
200 copies to family and interested individuals. I would be happy to send a copy to anyone interested, as long
as supplies last.
Donated by Jane Brough Benson