“Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,” published:  
Chicago;  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.

G. L. DeFRESE, a contractor and builder of Dallas, Texas, was born in 
Germany, in 1863, the fourth child born to L. G. and C. E. (Schon) De Frese, 
also natives of Germany.  The parents still reside in their native country.  G. 
L., our subject, came to America in 1880, first settling in Indiana, where he 
worked at the cabinetmaker’s, carpenter and joiner’s trades, which he had 
learned in Germany.  He remained in Indiana but a few months, after which 
he worked in Michigan and Colorado and other places.  He came to Texas in 
1881, where he worked at the cabinetmaker’s trade, and finally, in 1885, he 
settled in Dallas, where he has since remained.  Mr. De Frese erected the 
Bowser building and residence, and also many other good and substantial 
residences.  During the busy season he employs an average of twenty men.  
He owns a good farm of 184 acres in Ellis county, near Ennis, a residence at 
Oak Lawn, six frame residences for sale or rent, and one acre of land in this 
county.

Mr. De Frese was married in Brennans, Texas, in 1884, to Minnie Gerlolf, a 
native of Germany, and a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Schoanbeck) 
Gerlolf, also natives of Germany.  The parents came to Texas about 1869, 
and now reside at Ennis, Ellis county.  Mr. and Mrs. De Frese have one 
child, Annie.  Mr. De Frese have one child, Annie.  Mr. De Frese takes an 
active interest in politics, voting with the Democratic party, and both he and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Submitted by: Justina Cook