In the wake of our recent ice storm, Altenburg has now had a good dose of snow. I will not make a trip to the museum today, but I do not have to. I will be writing a story today that does not require documentation that I would find at the museum. The last few days, the setting for our posts has been in the Perryville/Friedenberg area, and today is no different. The person who has today as a birthday will not be evident until later in the story. I will begin with the bride and eventually get around to her 2 husbands.

Elizabeth Klemp was born on October 13th or October 14th, She was either born in 1855 or 1856 in Germany. Different sources do not agree on her birthday. She was the daughter of Johann and Caroline (Zoellner) Klemp. When Elizabeth was just 2 years old, it appears that two Klemp families came to the United States. They arrived in New York City in 1857 aboard the ship, Humboldt. We find Elizabeth and the rest of the Klemp’s on the passenger list shown below.

I was unsuccessful at locating Elizabeth in the 1860 census. Elizabeth is found in the 1870 census at the age of 15.

Now we will take a look at the man who would become Elizabeth’s first husband. His name was Johann George Popp, who was born on May 27, 1853 in Wiesentfels, Germany. George was the son of Johannes and Margaretha (Beuchert) Popp. When George was about 13 years old, his family came to America. I found this Popp family on a passenger list for ships that arrived in Baltimore in 1866. I was not able to determine the name of the ship. George is said to be 11 years old on this document, but I think that is wrong.

George is found in the 1870 census at the age of 17. He was working on his father’s farm in the Cinque Hommes Township.

George Popp married Elizabeth Klemp on October 28, 1873 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. We are able to view this couple’s church marriage record here.

Two civil records for this occasion can also be displayed. Here is the first one.

The last one is shown here.

Our German Family Tree lists 5 children born to this pair. One child died very early. In the 1880 census, we find the Popp’s with 2 sons. George’s parents were also included in their household. George was a farmer in the Salem Township.

George did not make it to the 1900 census. He died in 1884 at the age of 31. George died during the time when Perry County was keeping death records. We can view George’s death record in 2 images.

George Popp is buried in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Friedenberg.

Elizabeth Popp married again. Let’s take a look at the man who became her 2nd husband. He is the birthday boy for today. His name was Adam Krauss, who was born on January 11, 1865, thus making today his 160th birthday. Adam was about 10 years younger than Elizabeth. Like the other two characters in this story, Adam was born in Germany. He was the son of Johann and Margrett (Rahlein) Krauss. Adam was the last of today’s characters to arrive in this country. He arrived in 1886 aboard the ship, Leipzig, according to a later naturalization document. He must have made his way to Perry County after coming to the United States.

Adam Krauss married Elizabeth Popp on June 14, 1893. These two were married at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. Therefore, we can only view civil records for this marriage. Here is their Missouri marriage license.

Below is a marriage certificate for Adam and Elizabeth.

Two more children were born to this couple, both prior to the 1900 census. In that year’s enumeration, we find 2 Popp children and 2 Krauss children. Adam was a farmer in the Salem Township.

Next, we find the Krauss’s in the 1910 census. Just the 2 Krauss children remained in their household.

The 1920 census shows Adam and Elizabeth with an empty nest, but right below their entry, you see the household of their son, Eugene Krauss, who had married Magdalena Bergmann in 1919.

The last census in which we find Elizabeth Krauss was the one taken in 1930. Adam and Elizabeth are included in the household of their son, Eugene, who was doing the farming.

Elizabeth Krauss died in 1938 at the age of 82. Her death certificate says she died at the age of 81, but it gives her year of birth as 1856.

An obituary for Elizabeth was printed in the Perry County Sun.

Adam is found as a widower in the 1940 census. He was living with his daughter, Edna, in Perryville. Edna had married William Feiste, who was a tavern keeper.

Adam Krauss died in 1946 at the age of 80. We can also view his death certificate.

Adam’s obituary was also published in the Perry County Sun.

Adam and Elizabeth Krauss are buried together in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Friedenberg.

Elizabeth Klemp married two men during her life. One was older than she was, and the other was younger. She had children by each of her two husbands. So, she would have descendants that carried the Popp surname, and descendants that carried the Krauss surname.