Family members from some of the first settlers visited The Mercedes Enterprise office last week.  Adrianne and Mike Streckfus were in town looking for the home Mike’s grandfather had built in the 1900’s.  Well, come to find out it was The Acker House. 

 Mr. Streckfus’ grandparents settled here after coming from Germany to make a new home.  According to Mike Streckfus, there were 14 family members that lived in the present day Acker House. The story goes deeper than that.

Mercedes has only lost one Fire Fighter in the line of duty since its start in 1909.  Clem Streckfus, Mike’s uncle was killed responding to a fire back in 1926.  Details on that accident are still being researched.  Mike was told by his family members that Clem Streckfus was hit by the fire truck that was responding to fire.  

Located on the heavy pine doors on the original firehouse Station 2, one can see the dedicated plaque for Clem S. Streckfus.  He was 30 years old at the time of his death.  Clem Streckfus’ name is also located the grounds of the State Capital in Austin. 

 The Volunteer Firemen monument in Austin, Texas, is a bronze  statue of a fire fighter carrying a frightened child in his left arm and a lantern in his right.  Listed on the granite base and pillars, are the names in of all Texan volunteers who lost their lives in the line of duty.  Mercedes’ Clem S. Streckfus is memorialized there.

More information will be shared with photos in the coming months.

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