We get to recognize a 150th birthday today. Christiane Mathilde Rodewald was born on May 12, 1875, the daughter of William and Marie (Sittner) Rodewald. Mathilda was the 3rd of 9 children born to her parents, and all of them were baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. Mathilda’s baptism record from that congregation’s books is pictured here.

Mathilda is found in the 1880 census at the age of 5. Her father was a teamster in Perryville.

The last child that was born into this Rodewald family was born in 1887, and that child was baptized in Perryville. However, when Mathilda was confirmed in 1888, we find her confirmation record in the books of Zion Lutheran Church in St. Louis. The Rodewald’s must have moved from Perryville to St. Louis at about this time. Mathilda’s confirmation record is displayed here. This document says that she was born on May 13th, not May 12th, but it is the only document on which I found that date.

Mathilda would get married before we can view another census in 1900, so we will now look at the man who would become her husband. He provides us with a new surname for this blog. His name was Adam Trumpfeller, who was born on May 15, 1874, so his birthday was celebrated just 3 days after his wife’s birthday. Adam was born in König, Germany, the son of Johann and Maria (Rebscher) Trumpfeller. Actually, in Germany, it appears that his surname was spelled Trumpfheller. He may have changed it by removing the “h” after coming to this country. I am able to display Adam’s German baptism record from the parish in König.

Census entries would indicate that Adam came to America in 1890 or 1891, so we do not see him in an American census until after he was married.

Adam Trumpfeller married Mathilda Rodewald on February 24, 1893. This couple was married in Madison County, Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis. There is reference on the Illinois marriage record below that it may have taken place in Alton, Illinois.

I think that Adam and Mathilda had 5 children. When the 1900 census was taken, there were 3 daughters in the Trumpfeller household. Adam was a carpenter in St. Louis.

Next, we find Adam and Mathilda in the 1910 census with their 5 children. Adam was still a carpenter, but it also mentions that he was doing some contracting. Two teenage sons were called shoemakers.

Adam had his World War I draft registration completed in 1918. It continues to call him a carpenter.

The 1920 census shows just 2 of the Trumpfeller children still living with their parents. Adam had the same occupation. Their teenage son was also part of the work force.

The last census in which we find Adam was the one taken in 1930. Just one son remained in their household.

Adam Trumpfeller died in 1934 at the age of 60. His death certificate below says he was a retired carpenter who died of heart problems.

Mathilda is found as a widow in the 1940 census. Her daughter, Orelia, had married Henry Ribbeck, and Mathilda was living with their small family.

Mathilda Trumpfeller died in 1947 at the age of 71. Her death certificate helps to confirm her birthday as being on May 12th.

Adam and Mathilda Trumpfeller are buried together in the Friedens Cemetery in St. Louis County. They have a Trumpfeller family stone along with a marker for Adam and Mathilda. You may have to click on the thumbnails to get the full view.

I have somewhat of a dilemma with this story. How can I not mention the interesting surname, Trumpfeller, and its potential connection with our current President. However, I know that I do not want this blog to become political. I will just let you have your own opinions about this posts new surname.