The birthday girl for today is Barbara Schade, who was born on October 14, 1865. At first, I thought Barbara was born on this day in 1866 because that is what our German Family Tree says, but I now think that is incorrect. If Barbara was born in 1866, today would be her 160th birthday, but since she was born in 1865, today’s birthday would be #161. Barbara was the daughter of Friedrich and Marie (Weinrich) Schade. Her baptism record would be found in the Peace Lutheran Church, Friedenberg books, but those records were destroyed in a fire. In the case of Barbara, she more likely would have been baptized in Longtown, possibly in her family’s home. Barbara is found in the 1870 census at the age of 4. Her father was a blacksmith in the Cinque Hommes Township.

Barbara was a teenager when the 1880 census was taken, which would be about the time when she would have been confirmed at Peace, Friedenberg. Barbara was one of 9 children in this Schade household.

I think this photo was likely taken prior to Barbara getting married.

Now, we will turn our attention to the man who would become Barbara’s husband. His name was Heinrich Wilhelm Mecker, who was born on October 25, 1864. William was the son of Jacob and Johannette (Arnold) Mecker. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim. His baptism record is pictured here.

In the 1870 census, William was 6 years old, and his father was a farmer in the St. Mary’s Township.

William was a teenager when the 1880 census was taken. This time, his Mecker family is found living in the Cinque Hommes Township, and William’s father was still farming.

William Mecker married Barbara Schade on November 17, 1887. These two were married at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, so we are unable to view a church marriage record. However, I am able to display 2 different civil marriage records from Perry County. Both of these documents say that William and Barbara were from Longtown.

This couple’s first child was born in 1888, so I think this photo of William, Barbara, and their son was taken sometime around 1890.

Our German Family Tree and Family Search say that the Mecker’s had 4 children, all boys. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sons were baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. Perhaps their first child had his baptism record in the books of Peace, Friedenberg. When the 1900 census was taken, we find the Mecker’s living in Perryville with all 4 sons. A cousin of William’s father, Ida Arnold, was included with the Mecker’s. William was a saloon keeper in Perryville.

In the 1910 census, we once again see all 4 sons in the Mecker household. If I read this correctly, I think the two words that describe William’s occupation are “agent” and “beer”.

William Mecker died in 1916 at the age of 51. His death certificate below says that his cause of death was stomach cancer.

An obituary for William was published in the Perry County Republican. I have to display it in 2 images.

Barbara Mecker is found as a widow in the 1920 census. Just her youngest son, Edward, was still living with her. He was a clerk in a store.

Barbara Mecker died in 1928 at the age of 62. Myocarditis is the cause of death on her death certificate.

Barbara’s obituary was also printed in the Perry County Republican. There is mention of how she spent part of her childhood in Chester, Illinois that does not show up in the documents found in this post.

William and Barbara Mecker are buried together in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Perryville.

The fact that the Mecker’s had four sons means that there were likely quite a few descendants of today’s couple who carried the surname, Mecker.