Yesterday, I told the story of a man born in 1894 who married a woman born in 1896. It just so happens that I will tell another tale today that follows that same plot. Another similarity can be found in the fact that today’s birthday boy only shows up in our German Family Tree because of his baptism at a local church. He would then spend almost his entire life elsewhere.

Edwin Friedrich Bueckmann was born on April 25, 1894, so today would be his 130th birthday. Edwin was the son of Frederick and Lydia (Knapp) Bueckmann and baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar. I located this photo of Edwin’s parents.

There were 4 Bueckmann children who were baptized at that congregation in the 1890’s. Edwin was the only boy. We can take a look at his baptism record from that congregation’s books.

Edwin is found in the 1900 census at the age of 6. His father was a farm laborer in the Salem Township. The 1900 census entries for the Salem Township are the ones that can be quite difficult to read.

Edwin’s father died in 1905, so in the next census in 1910, we find the Bueckmann’s living in Perryville. Edwin was a younger teenager who had yet to become part of the work force.

Edwin had his World War I draft registration completed in 1917. We see that Edwin was living in St. Louis and working as an automobile mechanic, and his employer was the General Auto Equipment Company.

Edwin did get called to serve his country during that war. His military record is summarized on the form shown below. Even though there is no indication on this document that Edwin was sent overseas, he still exited the military with a 30% disability.

Not long after his military service, Edwin got married, so we will not turn our attention to the woman who would become his bride. Her name was Olga Elizabeth Bay, who was born on August 6, 1896. Olga was the daughter of William and Wilhelmina (Doering) Bay. She was born in St. Louis, but I have no information about her baptism. Olga is found in the 1900 census at the age of 3. Her father was a blacksmith in St. Louis.

Next, we find Olga in the 1910 census as a teenager. As you can see, the Bay family was quite large.

Edwin Bueckmann married Olga Bay on March 12, 1918. The Missouri marriage license below says this wedding took place at St. John’s Church in St. Charles County. Both Edwin and Olga were said to be from St. Louis. Perhaps this wedding took place at St. John’s United Church of Christ in St. Charles.

The 1920 census shows this young couple living in St. Louis. It is difficult to read, but I think this form says that Edwin was working as a traveling salesman. No children had been born to this pair yet.

The 1930 census for the Bueckmann’s lists 3 children. Once again, the occupation column is difficult to read. The business he was in was a butter company. I think he was a salesman for a butter company.

A 1931 St. Louis city directory includes the Bueckmann couple. It says Edwin was working for the Sugar Creek Creamery Company.

A short article found in the Perry County Republican in 1934 says that Edwin was a salesman for the St. Louis Bread Company.

The last census in which we find Edwin was the one taken in 1940. It says Edwin was a delivery salesman for a wholesale bakery company. The same 3 children are in their household.

Edwin Bueckmann died in 1946 at the age of 52. His cause of death is a tragic one. It says he died of carbon monoxide poisoning. It also uses the phrase, “suicide while suffering a temporary mental aberation”. His usual occupation listed on this form indicates he was doing sales research for the St. Louis Globe Democrat newspaper.

An obituary for Edwin was published in the Perry County Republican. It makes no mention of a suicide. It does mention that he had been in poor health.

Olga is found in the 1950 census along with 2 sons. Olga was sewing linings for a luggage company. Her son, Eugene, who, according to the above obituary had been married and working in Louisville, was now divorced and working as a record salesman for a music house. Ralph, the other son, was called a radio announcer.

There is evidence that Olga would get married again. Her second husband was William Klatt. When Olga died in 1988, a Social Security death index indicates that her name was Olga Klatt. Olga was 92 years old when she died. Both Edwin and Olga Bueckmann are buried together in the Our Redeemer Cemetery in Affton, Missouri.

Edwin’s story contains some curious situations. I cannot help but wonder if his 30% disability from his time in the military contributed to his later health issues. I also find it quite unusual that, although it looks like he spent just a short time in Perryville, he still manages to be included in articles published in the Perryville newspaper so many years later. He must have made quite an impact in that city during those few years. To add to that, I find it curious that Edwin and Olga, while residing in St. Louis, would get married across the Missouri River in St. Charles County.