A German immigrant who came to Texas in 1843, Meusebach negotiated, wrote, and signed the famous Meusebach Comanche Treaty in 1847, opening up over 3,000,000 acres of land beyond the San Saba River for colonization. It is one of the only treaties between the white men and the Indians that was always honored by both parties. Meusebach was the founder of Fredericksburg; in 1851, he was elected state senator for Comal, Bexar, and Medina counties.