Axtmann Family, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Sandra McLellan, May 2005
Special thanks to Jim Perrin for donating it to the archives.

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THE AXTMANN FAMILY MOVES TO PONCHATOULA

BY JIM PERRIN

William Francis "Frank" Axtmann was born 1 May 1815 in Baden, Germany.  He came to 
America and settled in New Orleans, where he was working as a tailor in 1850.

Frank married Helena "Lena" Brambring, who was born about 1822 in Prussia, Germany. 
By 1860, Frank, Lena, and their son William "Willie" Axtmann (b. 1 July 1856 in New 
Orleans) had moved across the lake and settled in Ponchatoula.

In April, 1860, Frank purchased Lot 1 in Square 40 in the town of Ponchatoula for 
$90. This lot is located on the south side of the 200 block of West Pine Street. It 
ran 200 feet along Pine Streest and 50 feet on South Sixth Street. Frank set up a 
store on this corner, where the Edwards Motor Company's large brick building later 
stood.

Frank was taxed as a retail liquor dealer in June of 1865, so he may have operated 
a saloon at this site or sold liquor as part of a general merchandise establishment.  

Frank served on the Ponchatoula town council in 1873 and 1874 and also served as 
treasurer of the Board of Aldermen. During the turbulent days of Reconstruction, 
Frank was removed from office and ordered by the council to "give up all the books, 
papers, and funds in his possession belonging to this corporation..." Axtmann 
refused to give up the town records until the town relieved him of a $500 security 
bond he had posted as treasurer. Although the actual bond could not be found, the 
town cancelled the security bond with the understanding that Axtmann would return 
the town records. Although not stated in the town records, apparently an amicable 
settlement of this problme was achieved.

Frank Axtmann was again elected to the Ponchatoula town council and was serving on 
the Board of Aldermen in 1878. He died 1 Jan. 1881 and was buried in Ponchatoula 
Cemetery. Lena continued to live in Ponchatoula following Frank's death.

In Nov. 1887, she sold the store property along with three adjoining lots on South 
Sixth Street for $500.  In Sept. 1888, she sold a lot in Independence that Frank 
had purchased in 1867

No further record of Helena or Willie Axtmann has yet been found by this writer.

Anyone with comments, questions, or additional information about Ponchatoula's 
rich heritage may call Jim Perrin at 386-4476.