I will begin today with a family photo that has shown up on this blog in several earlier posts. It shows the Traugott Kaempfe family. Let me quickly summarize the history of this Kaempfe family and its connection to the Gesellschaft. Johann Samuel Gottfried Kaempfe came to America aboard the Johann Georg in 1839. Below … More Carl from Millstadt
Although today’s story begins in Perry County, it certainly does not end there. The story involves lumber, cabinet making, furniture, and casket making. What do all these activities have in common? Trees. Perry County certainly has plenty of trees, but the family involved in today’s episode later moved to another area known for its trees. … More The Miesner-Heeszel Partners
The blog post today got started yesterday when I found that there was a Fred Eggers who was born on this day. I contacted our own Fred Eggers to see how he was related. By the time all was said and done, Fred Eggers decided to write this story about Fred Eggers. My thanks go … More The “Other” Uncle Fred Eggers
One hundred thirty-three years ago, Bertha Vogel was born in New Wells, Missouri. Her birthday was May 6, 1886. She was the daughter of William and Emma Susanne (Hoehne) Vogel and baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. Below is her baptism record. On October 27, 1907, Bertha married Joseph Richter of Wittenberg, Missouri. … More Bertha’s Joe and Otto
It may be Cinco de Mayo elsewhere in the world, but we Germans would say it is the fünfter Mai. And on the fifth of May in 1886, Clara Vogel was born in Jacob, Illinois. I knew that after looking in our German Family Tree, I was quite sure that I was not going to … More Clara Finds Justus in Jacob – Or Did Justus Find Clara?
Frederick Miesner was born on May the Fourth. Since he was born in 1861, that would make today his 158th birthday. Fred was not born in the United States. He was born in Germany in the Hannover area. Fred’s parents were Heinrich and Maria (Bellmann) Miesner. When Fred was 5 years old, his family was … More May the Fourth Fred Miesner
Over the years, I have witnessed a few special weddings in which either the bride or the groom was married by a pastor who was also part of the family. A wedding that took place on this day back in 1908 was such a marriage ceremony. I am going to begin by describing the beginnings … More Arno and Ida Tie the Knot
We have a birthday girl today. Her name was Martha Fiehler. I will not waste any time telling you today that her husband was Ernst Wachter. One of the nice things about today’s couple is the fact that both of these two characters are included in photos taken of their families including their siblings. Let’s … More Fiehler/Wachter
Because I had an appointment today in Perryville, I had no intentions to compose a blog post. However, as it turns out, it is that appointment I attended that led to this story. The appointment I had was to a place that I had not previously visited. However, when my wife and I got there, … More Another Visit to the Hotel
