I’ve spent more time packing this week than working at the museum, so this update is coming a little later than usual. It will also be a bit of a collection of miscellaneous thoughts—because that’s pretty much what’s going on in my brain right now! First, congratulations to our friends at Saxon Lutheran Memorial, who … More Museum Musings for Friday, July 24
The birthday boy for today lived a very short life, but at least it was long enough for him to find a wife and have a few children. His wife ended up living quite a long life. You will read this family’s story today. Martin Louis Best was born on July 23, 1894, so today … More Alma, the Best Widow in Cape Girardeau
The birthday boy for today’s post is Olga Justine Selma Meister, who was born on July 22, 1886. That means today would be Olga’s 140th birthday. Meister is the German word for “master”. Olga was the daughter of Emil and Selma (Lange) Meister. Emil and Selma had come to this country aboard the ship, Main, … More Master and Boss Maker in Leavenworth, KS
Today’s birthday girl is Riga Carolina Stella Bergmann, who was born on July 21, 1887. That means today would be Stella’s 139th birthday. Stella was the daughter of John and Mary (Muench) Bergmann. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. Her baptism record from that congregation’s books is pictured here. It looks as … More Emil and Stella – St. Louis Steinke’s
This past February, I wrote a post titled, Fred and Emma – Gordonville Grossheider’s. That story was about a man named Fred William Grossheider, who was born in 1866, and he married a woman named Emma. Today, you will read the tale of another Fred Grossheider, one who was born in 1896, and, lo and … More Fred and Emma – Gordonville Grossheider’s Sequel
About a year ago, I wrote the one and only post on this blog about a family named Neislein. That post got one comment on it at that time, but yesterday, a person with the name, Neislein, gave that post a “like” on our website. Normally, such a reaction to an old blog, although much … More Andrew and Polly – Arnsberg Neislein’s
Well, this is different, you might be saying to yourself. These posts are usually done on Fridays. The heat must be getting to Warren—he thought yesterday was Thursday and managed to get his post out before I did! Life has been rather chaotic lately as I have been spending much of my time packing boxes … More Museum Musings for Saturday, July 18
The Kropf surname is one that became common in the Perryville and Friedenberg areas during the early years of Lutheranism in this vicinity. Today, I will tell the story of what looks to be the original Kropf couple to enter Perry County. This couple, as it turned out, spent about half of their lives in … More Pioneer Perry County Kropf Kouple
Back in the 1880’s, there was a teacher at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells named George Sohn. During his time at that congregation, he and his wife had 3 daughters whose baptism records are found in that church’s books. It is somewhat humorous that a teacher with the name, Sohn, which means “son” in … More Another One of Teacher Sohn’s Daughters from New Wells
The setting for today’s story begins in Perry County, but does not take long before it shifts up to St. Louis. The bride in today’s story was born near Perryville and baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Her name was Martha Anna Christine Sittner, who was born on April 14, 1878. Martha was the daughter of … More Sergeant Henry Holtman – St. Louis Policeman
