Today would be the 125th birthday of Herman George Fluegel, who was born on December 30, 1898. Herman was the son of Herman and Emma (Nobel) Fluegel. The Fluegel family had arrived in America in 1893, so this family was relatively new to this country when Herman, Jr. was born. I am not aware of where he was baptized. I thought his baptism record might be found in the books of Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, but it is not there. Herman is found in his first census entry in 1900 at the age of 1. His father was a farmer in the Cinque Hommes Township with 6 children, 4 of which had been born in the United States.

Next, we find Herman in the 1910 census when he was 11. Three more children had been born to the Fluegel’s, so you can see that this household had gotten quite large.

When the 1915 plat maps were produced for Perry County, we find the Fluegel farm located near the villages of Millheim and Schumer Springs.

Herman had his World War I draft registration completed in 1918. His address is given as Millheim, and he was working on his father’s farm. 

Although Herman did not get drafted into military service, his older brother, Alfred, did. Alfred would die in France in 1918. His military record indicates he died of meningitis. His body would later be brought back to America in 1920, and he is buried in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Friedheim. 

The 1920 census is the last one in which we find Herman as a single man. He was old enough to be helping his father on his farm. 

Now, we need to take a look at the woman who would become Herman’s bride. Her name was Ella Franziska Elizabeth Lintner, who was born on May 26, 1904. Ella was the daughter of Charles and Lydia (Hoehn) Lintner. She was baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, so we cannot view her baptism record. Ella is found in the 1910 census at the age of 6. Her father was a farmer in the Central Township.

Ella was a teenager when the 1920 census was taken. The Lintner household was another one that had become rather large.

Herman Fluegel married Ella Lintner on January 29, 1928 at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. We can take a look at the Missouri marriage license for this couple. This document says that Herman was from Millheim and Ella was from Menfro.

According to our German Family Tree, Herman and Ella had 4 children, all of which were baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Longtown. In the first census taken after their marriage, the one taken in 1930, this couple had 2 children. Herman was still farming.

The 1940 census shows the Fluegel’s with all 4 of their children, 2 boys and 2 girls.

Herman had a World War II draft card completed in 1942. This form gives Longtown as Herman’s address.

Ella Fluegel died in 1947 at the age of 43. Her death certificate below gives pneumonia as the cause of death but it also mentions her having a brain tumor.

Ella is buried in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Friedenberg.

Herman is found in the 1950 census as a widower. Herman was called a janitor at a private home. All 4 of his children were still living with him, and 3 of them had occupations of their own.

Herman Fluegel died in 1971 at the age of 72. His death certificate says he was a retired shoe worker, indicating that he had also worked at the shoe factory in Perryville at one time.

Herman Fluegel is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Perryville.

Sometimes folks around here discuss the fact that Highway 61, a major north/south road in Perry County, is the dividing line between the German Lutherans and the German Catholics who settled in this area. In the case of the Fluegel’s, we find a Lutheran couple who ended up raising their family and doing their farming on the west side of Highway 61, where you find mostly the German Catholics. I do not often find the opportunity to share such a story on this blog.