Today’s tale will highlight the marriage between John Stelling and Maria Popp that took place on this day 154 years ago. Because this couple then had 9 children, there are plenty of descendants from this couple. Let’s start by looking at John.
Johann Christian Stelling was born on March 13, 1837, the son of Hans and Gesche (Stueve) Stelling. John was not the only baby born to this couple in 1837. John was part of a set of twin boys, both of which came to America and settled in Perry County. His twin brother was Heinrich Stelling. I am able to display the baptism record of these twins from Lamstedt, Germany.
Later census entries give dates for John’s immigration to this country. The 1900 census says he came in 1864. The 1910 census says he came in 1862. Since he came to America after the 1860 census, the first census in which we find John is after his marriage. So, we will turn our attention to the woman who would become his wife. Her name was Anna Maria Popp, who was born on September 20, 1848. I have mentioned in previous posts that there are quite a few Anna Popp’s found in our German Family Tree. This girl, however, went by the name Maria or Mary throughout her life. Maria was the daughter of John and Anna (Grother) Popp and baptized at Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna. I am away from the museum for a few days, so I am not able to display church records today. We find Maria in the 1850 census at the age of 2. The census taker gives their surname as Robb, not Popp. Maria’s father was a farmer in the Brazeau Township.
Next, we find Maria in the 1860 census where she is listed as being 11 years old.
When Maria was confirmed in 1862, that event took place at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg. So, the Popp family had become members of that congregation which had been established in 1857.
John Stelling married Maria Popp on November 5, 1868 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. I am able to display a civil marriage record for this occasion.
Our German Family Tree lists 9 children born to this couple. Two of them died at young ages. When the 1870 census was taken, just their firstborn child was in the household. John was a farmer.
The 1880 census lists 4 children in the Stelling household. This time, it says that John was working in a mill. I think he was likely working at the Frohna Mill operated by the Weinhold brothers.
We cannot view another census until the one taken in 1900. In that year’s census, we once again see John as a farmer, and it looks like a few of his sons were helping him on his farm.
In 1910, we see John, at the age of 73, was working at odd jobs. Only one daughter remained in their household.
The last census in which we find John and Maria Stelling was the one taken in 1920. Their son, Albert Stelling was listed as the head of the household and working as a farmer. Another Stelling daughter, Tillie, was also living with them. John was said to be working on the farm at the age of 82.
Both John and Maria Stelling died in 1927. First, Maria died in August of that year at the age of 78. Her death certificate shown below says she died as a result of stomach cancer.
John Stelling died in October of that same year at the age of 90. We can also view his death certificate.
Both of the above death certificates state that these two were buried in the Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Frohna (the only cemetery in that village). Findagrave.com has entries for each of them, but neither one has a gravestone photo.
I have written several previous posts about folks with the surname, Stelling. Most of them, I am sure, are descendants of either John or his twin brother, Henry. You can always use the search box on this website to find any surname you would like to research.