When I discovered that a girl by the name of Wilhelmine Bachmann was born on February 18th, I did not know right away that her story would lead me to another Stueve. Yesterday, the post told the story of a Stueve (pronounced Steve around here) that ended up in Sylvan Grove, Kansas. The Stueve in today’s tale did not leave, but remained in Perry County throughout his life.

Ernestine Wilhelmine Bachmann was born on February 18, 1886, the firstborn child of Joseph and Emilie (Schmidt) Bachmann. A post was published about Joseph and Emilie titled, Bachmann and Schmidt. Here is a photo of the parents.

Athough she was named Wilhelmine, she was almost always called Minnie during her life. Even her gravestone calls her Minnie. She was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown. An image of her baptism record from that congregation’s books is pictured here.

We are not able to view a census including Minnie until the one taken in 1900. At that time, she was already a teenager. Her father was a farmer in the Apple Creek Township.

A photo was taken of the Joseph Bachmann family right around the time of the above census. Minnie is standing right behind her mother in this photograph.

The 1900 census would be the only census entry in which we find Minnie as a single person. So, let’s take a look at the man who would become her husband. His name was Joseph Stueve, who was born on February 19, 1881. That means Minnie and Joseph would have consecutive birthdays, one day apart. Joseph was the son of Peter and Margareta (Crum) Stueve. A previous post was also written about these parents titled, Peter Blessed by a Crum. Joseph was child #6 of 8 children in this Stueve family. He was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar. We can also take a look at his baptism record.

Joseph also does not appear in a census until 1900. He is found in the pages of the Salem Township that are often difficult to read. In this case, the image is almost impossible to decipher. Joseph was 19 years old and working on his father’s farm.

Joseph Stueve married Minnie Bachmann on October 23, 1908 at Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown. The church record for that event is shown below.

The marriage license for this pair can also be viewed.

Our German Family Tree lists 10 children born to this couple. The 1910 census shows them with just their first daughter. Joseph’s parents are listed right above their entry.

In 1911, a notice was published in the Perry County Republican saying that Joseph was sold his parents’ land.

The 1915 plat maps for Perry County show the Joseph Stueve farm near Farrar.

In 1918, Joseph had his World War I draft registration completed.

Next, we find the Stueve family in the 1920 census. Joseph was a farmer, and his family had grown considerably. Right below Joseph’s family is the Claus Stueve household. That is the family mentioned in yesterday’s story about Claus John Stueve from Sylvan Grove Kansas. That family included not only one Claus Stueve, but also a Claus Stueve, Sr., who was Claus John Stuive’s uncle.

The last census in which we find Minnie Stueve was the one taken in 1930.

Minnie Stueve died in 1938 at the age of 52. Her death certificate is displayed here.

Minnie’s obituary appeared in the Perry County Republican. I have to show 3 images so you can better read it. You may have to click to enlarge.

Joseph is found as a widower in the 1940 census. Two remaining sons were living with him and helping to operate their farm.

When Joseph was 61 years old, he was still required to complete a World War II draft card.

Joseph Stueve died in 1944 at the age of 63. Bladder cancer is given as the cause of death.

An obituary for Joseph was also published in the Perry County Republican.

Searching the local newspaper for stories about Joseph Stueve led me to another interesting fact. There was another Joseph Stueve who occasionally showed up in that paper who was visiting from Linn or Sylvan Grove, Kansas. Yesterday’s John C. Stuive had a brother named Joseph. So, there was a Joseph Stueve that did leave Perry County, and there was another one that didn’t.

Joseph and Minnie Stueve are each buried in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Farrar.

When I was a teacher in Memphis, Tennessee, one of my fellow teachers was Fina (Rufina) Behnke. We would occasionally talk about our Perry County roots. I know she told me she had some Stueve’s from Farrar in her family tree. I am almost sure that Fina came from today’s couple. Fina was the only Rufina I have ever known personally, and I know that Joseph and Minnie had a daughter named Rufina. Fina visited our museum several years ago with another friend, Lauren, from Memphis. Fina is on the right in the photo below.

I’m sure Fina will tell me if I am wrong about her Stueve connections.