N J Rabensburg The Saddler and Holster Maker from 1907 to 1961
N J Rabensburg started his leather career in Fayette County, Texas. His father, Henry B Rabensburg, also operated a Saddlery, but in Floresville, Wilson County, Texas. Henry was, unfortunately, killed in 1890, so his wife, Wilhelmina Ehlinger, and their young son moved back to her roots at Live Oak Hill near Ellinger, Fayette County, Texas.
Wilhelmina remarried to Charles Girndt, who would later become Sheriff of Fayette County. N J Rabensburg may have apprenticed as a leather maker first in Ellinger and then in La Grange, where he worked at the La Grange Saddle and Buggy Shop located on the southwest corner of the town square.
N J Rabensburg expanded his leather carrier through exposure by traveling first to Dallas, then out-of-state to New Mexico and then finally to Price, Utah. There he made showplace saddles. One was for cowboy Joe Anderson, who rode on it during the Stampede in Salt Lake City, Utah between 1913 and 1915. A photo of what is believed to be this very saddle is attached.
N J Rabensburg returned in 1915 to La Grange and his boyhood roots and married Lillian Edna Speckels, the daughter of Mayor Henry W Speckels. Rabensburg goes into partnership with Zweiner on the northside of the town square. A interior photo of this store shows N J Rabensburg on the left and his partner Zwiener opposite. The date is probably opening day of this store in 1915 with spurs, ropes and blankets to the left and saddles, buggy whips and yokes to the right.
N J Rabensburg opened a Saddlery in Llano, Texas in 1920, where he remained until 1932. He served the town of Llano as an Alderman and Mayor. His store was located on Bessemer Street, which becomes Ford Street on the other side of the Llano River. His store was located within close proximity to the Llano River and may have suffered flood damaged more than once.
N J Rabensburg finally moved to Austin and eventually took over operations of the A W Brill Company located in downtown Austin. N J Rabensburg retired in about 1955 but continued to make holsters and belts (and other leather products) in his home workshop located at 1903 N Lamar across from Shoal Creek and Pease Park. A photo copy of the front exterior of his home and garage workshop is attached. This photo was taken about 1942 after N Lamar cut through and took off a portion of N J Rabensburg's front yard and hill.
Last edited by arabensburg; 11-22-2021 at 02:27 PM.
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