When I began writing for this blog over 8 years ago, I thought I might run out of stories after a few years. That has not turned out to be the case, at least not yet. While looking for a story to write for today, I did have some trouble finding a story. I began looking at a few other individuals who had April 2nd birthdays, but I eventually decided not to write their stories. I found the one I will be sharing today, but at first glance, it did not exactly seem like the most exciting tale to be told. However, the part of the story that seems a bit unusual is the fact that today’s birthday boy did not get married until quite late in his life. Speaking as a person who did not get married until I was 39 years old, it drew my attention.

Peter Albert Boxdorfer was born on April 2, 1882, so today would be his 142nd birthday. Peter was the son of George and Theresia (Maisel) Boxdorfer. Our German Family Tree lists Peter as child #3 of 10 born to George and Theresia. Peter was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. We are able to look at a transcription of his baptism record that can be found in a binder we have in our research library containing such records from that congregation.

Since we cannot view the 1890 census, the first census to include Peter was the one taken in 1900. Peter was already a teenager. At the age of 18, he was helping his father on his farm. There were also 2 other young men working a farm laborers on this Boxdorfer farm.

I found an interesting document that indicates Peter was involved in some sort of civil service in 1903, and it appears that he may have been working on a boat on the Mississippi River. He is listed with several others who are called waiters. There are several persons on this list that give Anchor Landing, MO as the place of operation. I was unable to determine where Anchor Landing was located. Perhaps one of our readers knows.

Next, we find Peter in the 1910 census. His mother was the head of the household. His father was still alive, and he would marry a second wife in 1912, so this looks like a divorce to me, although I have no documentation for it. Peter, the oldest son, was the farmer.

Peter must have relocated during the next decade. When he completed his World War I draft registration in 1918, he is given a Murphysboro, Illinois address and is called a farmer. The fact that his mother, who is called Peter’s nearest relative, has her name listed as Theresia Maisel, her maiden name, also points to the possibility that she was divorced.

We find Peter in the 1920 census living in the Sand Ridge Township in Jackson County, Illinois. Peter was the head of the household and called a farmer. His mother was living with him. Peter’s sister, Isabell, who had married Alvin Mehner, was also living with Peter along with her family. A nephew named Rudolph Boxdorfer was also included in the household.

I was unable to find Peter in the 1930 census. Then, in 1940, he is found living in Baldwin, Illinois, which is located east of Red Bud in Randolph County. Peter was living by himself at the age of 57 and doing carpentry and painting work.

Baldwin is where Peter found his wife, so we will now look at the woman who would become his bride. Her name was Edna Margaret Meyerott, who was born on April 12, 1900 (although there is some debate about her birthday). Edna was the daughter of George and Mollie (Reinhardt) Meyerott. She is found in the 1910 census at the age of 10. Her father was a farmer in Baldwin.

In the 1920 census, we find Edna at the age of 17, although I think that may be wrong.

The 1930 census shows Edna still living with her parents at the age of 30. She was a seamstress at a rayon factory.

The 1940 census has Edna living with her widowed mother. Neither had an occupation.

Later that year, Peter Boxdorfer married Edna Meyerott on July 9, 1940. Surprisingly, this couple was married in Perry County, Missouri, so we can view a Missouri marriage license. The wedding was conducted by a Presbyterian minister in Brazeau, so it must have been the pastor at Brazeau Presbyterian Church. This form says both Peter and Edna were from Baldwin, Illinois. Edna was 40 years old, and Peter was 58 when they were married.

When Peter married Edna, he apparently didn’t just get a wife, he also got a mother-in-law who was still living. We find this trio in the 1950 census living in Baldwin. Peter was a maintenance helper for the road district at the age of 68. His mother-in-law was 88 years old.

Peter Boxdorfer died in 1966 at the age of 83; Edna died in 1984 at the age of 83 (if she was born in 1900). They are each buried in the Baldwin Cemetery.

Peter Boxdorfer spent much of his life as a bachelor, but he eventually found a bride. It is not often that you find a couple that marries as late in life as both Peter and Edna that is made up of two who had not previously been married. I, for one, am glad Peter and Edna found each other. I know I am glad I found a wife when I was almost 40. Or did she find me?