When I found a marriage that united a Brunkhorst with a Wichern on this date back in 1881, I immediately thought of two boat landings along the banks of the Mississippi River. These landings no longer exist, but they once were important places back when there were no bridges nearby to enable folks to cross … More Brunkhorst Weds Wichern in Jacob
When I first moved to Perry County about 10 years ago, I looked at the surname, Koeberl, and wondered how to pronounce it. I soon discovered that folks around here make it very simple. They pronounce this name the same as they pronounce “cable”. This is also one of those names that was once spelled … More Frank the Koeberl Guy
Teacher Popp, who once taught at Trinity Lutheran School in Altenburg, has been mentioned in several earlier blog posts. He has even been mentioned in several titles. One such title was Teacher Popp’s Pop. Another one, written by John Popp, was titled, Teacher Popp – My Pop. Today, we have another post that goes even … More Teacher Popp’s Grand-Pop
The first date that I had with my wife consisted of an evening of watching TV. Yes, I am a miserly old German. That evening included my wife making me dinner. I’ve been in love with her ever since. Believe me, there are countless reasons that I love my wife, not just her culinary skills, … More Winning His Heart through His Stomach?
Dear Patrons, It has been an unprecedented time in the museum world. Know that we have been praying for your health. We have friends in the world who have battled or are battling this virus, and other friends who have lost family members unrelated to the virus, or have suffered other health crises during this … More We are Closed but Operational
Elizabeth Barbara Lewis is today’s birthday girl. Her birthday was April 17, 1869. Lizzie, as she would be later called, was the daughter of George and Rebecca (Phillips) Lewis. You might be thinking that these are not German names, and you would be right. However, we do find her being baptized at a Lutheran church. … More The End Comes to Lizzie
I have stated in a previous post that if I find a bicentennial birthday for an ancestor from this area, it must mean that birthday took place in Germany. Not always so. I did not think about the folks who once settled the Shawnee Township of northern Cape Girardeau County. That vicinity was a place … More An Austrian Bicentennial Birthday
I began researching for today’s post and before I was done, the story changed somewhat. I found a pair of marriages which took place on the same day involving a brother and his sister getting married to their spouses. I’m always attracted to stories like that. However, this story became even more interesting when I … More Multiple Matrimony Milestone
People who have become familiar with the story of the German Lutheran immigration to America in 1838-1839, which was led by Rev. Martin Stephan, are probably familiar with the name of Louise Guenther. Rev. Stephan was exiled from the Perry County colony in May of 1839, partly as a result of sexual impropriety. The main … More The Miscreant Maid Marries
You will discover today that the life of Elizabeth Amalie Burroughs was a struggle from the beginning to the end. During her life, she could have been called an orphan (or an abandoned child), a foster child, a divorcee, a mother of two sets of twins, and a widow. There is also some indication that … More Lisette’s Labored Life
