If you are a regular reader of this blog, you already know that several Perry County natives moved to the state of Kansas over the years. Today will be another one of those stories. It begins with the birth of Emanuel Alvin Hopfer, who was born on September 20, 1861. Emanuel was the son of … More E.A. Hopfer – All Over Kansas, Ends Up in Washington
One of the original immigrants arriving as part of the Gesellschaft in 1839 was Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Koch. I find his story to be interesting because he was a teacher. I suppose I am partial to teacher tales. As I proceed to tell this story, you will discover that it begs some interesting questions. They … More John Koch – Teacher and Organist
The record that initiated this post is not found in our German Family Tree…at least not yet. Edward Grosse married twice during his life, and neither one of his marriage records can be found in the GFT. You will discover that Edward’s first marriage took place on April 17th, and that is what attracted me … More Edward Grosse and His Bangert Brides
I will begin with an apology. I spent enough time researching today’s story that when I discovered a mistaken date of birth, I had invested too much into this tale to find a new person to investigate. Our German Family Tree says today’s main character was born on April 16th, but I think there is … More An Arranged Deaf Smith, TX Wedding?
I am writing this story on Good Friday. It will be a story that has some similarities to the events that took place on the original Good Friday, but also some distinct differences. This story has an only son. Also, because of a death, a woman becomes a grieving mother. Yet, the surrounding details in … More Married for 11 Months – Widowed for 69 Years
The surname, Puchbauer, has only shown up one time in a previous post on this blog. Today, that name will not just be mentioned briefly, it will be highlighted. Before I move on, let me say that I would pronounce this name, “pook-bower”, but when I mentioned this name at breakfast this morning, everyone pronounced … More Pocahontas Puchbauer’s
Edwin Oswald Engert was born on April 13, 1896, making today his 126th birthday. Edwin did not have a normal childhood, which will be evident as I tell his story. His parents were August and Liberta (Palisch) Engert. That makes Edwin a grandchild and great grandchild of two very prolific patriarchs that were part of … More The Edwin Engert Post
This post will be one of those that begins with a lonely record found in our German Family Tree. The entry pictured here is for Franziska Starzinger. As you can see, this entry shows a marriage that took place in 1855 on April 12th, making today this couple’s 167th anniversary. Franziska is listed as child … More Rev. Fred and Franziska – The Jungck’s
Let me set the scene for today’s story. Back in the 1880’s, some Perry County residents moved across the Mississippi River to form a new congregation in Jacob, Illinois that was named Christ Lutheran Church. Several other immigrants settled in that area and joined that congregation, but there always was a close connection between the … More Another Farrar-Jacob Duo
George Jacob Mecker was born on April 10, 1882, making today his 140th birthday. George was the son of Henry and Catherine (Bangert) Mecker. George has some information included in the Friedenberg Remembrances book, but I am not confident that he was baptized there. Since we cannot view the 1890 census, the first census in … More Unusual Census Entries
