Stolz Family Leaves Lasting Mark on La Grange

125-Year-Old Monument Company Closing at Year’s End

In this circa 1904 photo, two horses wearing decorative blankets pull a parade float featuring women painted white and dressed to resemble cemetery statuary. O. E. Stolz stands near the back of the wagon and three children wearing identical costumes standing are (in no specific order): L. W. Stolz Sr., Gus Heyl and Clinton (Pete) Stolz. Photo courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives L.W. Stolz Memorials, Inc. moved to its current location on E. Travis St. in 1936. The 125-year-old locally owned and operated business will close at year’s end. Photo by Andy Behlen Lorenz W. Stolz Sr. and his wife, Agnes, are buried in the family’s mausoleum in the new La Grange City Cemetery. A simple granite stone nearby marks the grave of Lorenz W. Jr. (Sonny) Stolz in the family’s plot. Photo by Elaine Thomas. Stolz employee Walter Schwartz was hand finishing the top and edges of a stone in 1976. When his work was done, the stone went to a polishing machine operated by Frank Drescher. A full day on each side gave the stone a mirror-smooth finish. Photo courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives. O. E. Stolz with his hands on his hips stands on the porch at O. E. Stolz Granite, Marble and Iron Fencing with his workers on Feb. 11, 1922. His son, Clinton (Pete) Stolz, wearing a dark hat stands below his father. Also in the group are Ike Bell, Gus Gau and L. H. Geiger. Photo courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives. Standing at the 1933 dedication of the Monument Hill tomb made by Stolz Memorials are: fourth from left, Senator Margie Neal of Carthage; Lt. Gov. Edgar Witt; Benno Harigel; Dr. Louis “Uhland” Spellman Sr.; Louis W. Kemp; Mrs. George Willrich; Senator T. J. Holbrook of Galveston; Adina de Zavala; possibly Mrs. C. D. Krause; Mrs. J. B. Garrard; General Jacob F. Wolters; Houston Wade; Essie Alexander; Mayor Guy Robson; and possibly C. J. von Rosenberg. Photo courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives. In 1934, an outdoor drinking fountain created by Stolz Memorials was dedicated in honor of Miss Lyttie Moore, who had taught La Grange children to read and write since 1884. Following a program in which her first grade students participated, Miss Moore enjoyed the first drink from the water fountain. Photo courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives.

It’s fitting that the striking Stolz mausoleum in the new La Grange City Cemetery stands out. The sleek gray, granite tomb was crafted by – and for – the family that has created the majority of the rows of headstones in both the new and old city cemeteries.

For 125 years, four generations of the Stolz family, masters of old-world workmanship, have honed their craft, first as La Grange Marble Works and, more recently, as L.W. Stolz Memorials, Inc.

In 1895, O.E. Stolz began producing memorials using hand tools behind his home on S. Washington St. in La Grange. The business was on the corner of S. Main St. across from the Old Fayette County Jail.

In the 1920s, O.E. Stolz started the Premier Granite Quarries in Llano, and his younger son, Pete, later managed the operation. (He is buried in Llano.) Although the company purchased stone elsewhere, this was their primary source. The quarry also filled granite orders for huge projects across the state.

While the bulk of the company’s business always has been monuments to honor departed loved ones, the Stolz name also is associated with community commemoratives.

In 1933, the Monument Hill Memorial Association of La Grange signed a contract with Stolz Memorials to enclose the crumbling original tomb of the men who died during the Dawson Massacre of September 1842 and the ill-fated Mier expedition of November 1842, also known as the “black bean” incident.

Mr. Stolz told the La Grange Journal what he planned to build.

“Granite used to cover the present vault will be of the finest gray granite, which will come from the quarries of the Stolz’s interests at Llano. It is considered the finest in Texas for its texture and color, with a crushing strength of 34,859 pounds per square inch, and is the hardest gray granite known. This granite has been used consistently over the state on government buildings and fine memorials.”

A May 1934 story in the La Grange Journal reported all but $250 of the $1,450 cost had been paid. According to a Monument Hill Memorial Association spokeswoman, “Stolz Memorials have been very generous and have, in order to help get the tomb, reduced the price at the time of purchase, but they are still the creditors and the $250 will have to be paid.”

Members of the community duly stepped forward to settle the debt.

Also in 1934, Stolz Memorials helped the Mother’s Club of La Grange honor a beloved teacher, Miss Lyttie Moore. Parents and approximately 100 children turned out for the dedication of an outdoor water fountain designed and manufactured by the monument company.

The Stolz business remained at its downtown location until 1935, the year following O.E. Stolz’s death. When his son and successor, L.W. Stolz Sr., took over, the monument operation moved to its present site at 445 E. Travis St. The location, according to an article in the La Grange Journal, was opposite “the oil mill.” Today, HEB is located on that site.

L.W. (Sonny) Stolz Jr. took over the family business from his father in 1957. He continued to build a reputation for quality merchandise, high-grade artistry, appealing design and competitive pricing.

While operating the family business, L.W. Stolz Jr., was very active in La Grange business and civic organizations. He served as mayor of La Grange from 1969 to 1977 and was a director of La Grange State Bank and South Central Saving and Loan Association of Brenham. He was on the advisory board of Fayette Memorial Hospital and a director of the Texas Municipal League. He also was a director and president of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce and served as president of the Noon Lions. L.W. Stolz Jr. was elected president of the Colorado River Water Development Association, in addition to serving in many other organizations.

Following L.W. Stolz Jr.’s death in 2013, Russell C. (Russ) Joseph, has carried on the family monument business.

“Since 1895, L.W. Stolz Memorials, Inc. has served with pride and excellence the State of Texas with quality monuments. Four generations have shared their knowledge, experience and craftsmanship during the last 125 years. We are very proud of this heritage and the professionalism rendered to each and every family,” Russ says.

The company has seen the industry change from railcars pulling through the shop and offloading boulders, to loading and shipping crates from around the world with premium granites and marble. L.W. Stolz Memorials, Inc. has moved from coalpowered machinery to electric, hand-chiseled cuts to diamond cuts, and much more.

“None of this could ever have taken place without the loyalty of so many amazing customers. For that, we thank you. You’ve allowed us the honor of memorializing your special someone and we are very appreciative.

“To our trustworthy and reliable employees, we owe a debt of gratitude for your dedication and service.

“However, the difficult decision has been made to close L.W. Stolz Memorials, Inc. at the end of 2020,” Russ explains.

L.W. Stolz Memorials, Inc. continues to take orders for granite monuments that will arrive in a timely manner, thus assuring the stones are completed by the end of the year. The company’s inventory will be discounted to liquidate as much as possible prior to closing.

“The Stolz family, past and present, will be forever grateful for our customers’ patronage. Thank you La Grange and Fayette County,” Russ adds.

If you’d like to read more of Elaine’s stories, visit www. elainethomaswriter.com/blog/ and sign up to receive new posts twice a month. You can also call Elaine at 979-263-5031.