Band of Brothers

Anna Marie (Mary) Mahnken is today’s birthday girl.  She was born on September 26, 1881 in Farrar, Missouri and baptized at Salem Lutheran Church.  This is her baptism record. Mary’s parents were John and Mary (Versemann) Mahnken. A little over a year later, a boy by the name of Johannes (John) Friedrich Theodore Bellmann was … More Band of Brothers

Just a Fair Preview

It is that time in Altenburg again.  Fair time.  The East Perry Community Fair has been happening since 1937.  I have heard estimates over the years that between 20-30 thousand people attend this annual event.  For the next few days, you will not be getting my standard blog posts. I will be involved in too … More Just a Fair Preview

Old-Time Engineer

I have seen the term “engineer” given in the occupation column of several censuses from Perry County from back in the 1880’s and early 1900’s.  That term does not have the implication that one would have for the word “engineer” nowadays.  This definition can be found in a modern dictionary. “A person who designs, builds, … More Old-Time Engineer