One of the characters in today’s story is a pastor’s kid. Many times, the children of pastors just “pass through” an area when their father is a minister of the local church. Those children are often born somewhere else and then future records show them living elsewhere later in their lives. To a certain extent, … More The Hellmuth’s in Mokena, Illinois
Back in 2017, I wrote a post about a man named Martin Bellmann titled, Pound the Hammer, Ring the Bell, Bang the Drum. That post mentioned that Martin got married 4 times. His 4 wives were named, in chronological order, Emma Heitmann, Martha Lohmann, Concordia Boehme, and Martha Grebing. Today’s birthday girl is Martin’s 4th … More Martin Bellmann’s 4th Wife – and 2nd Martha
You will be reading the story of David Emanuel Fischer today. I guess you could say that part of his life was quite tragic, and another part of his life was very fulfilling. He would end up with 3 wives, and some of his children would die as infants. However, two of his children who … More Emanuel Fischer and His Birner, Boehme, and Meister Wives
The couple in today’s story will take us on a bit of a ride, but that ride will eventually get us back in Missouri and not that far from Perry County. We will begin with our birthday girl. Her name was Hulda Lydia Rathjen, who was born on October 12, 1896. That means today would … More Martin and Hulda – Festus Krause’s
After I moved to Altenburg back in 2010, I got to know an older man who was called Cowboy Kassel. It was years later that I was told that his first name was Wernold, but I was told he did not like that name and preferred to be called Cowboy. I got to know him … More Cowboy Kassel’s Mom and Dad
It’s a travel weekend for my wife and me. The first highlight of our trip will be our first time to cross the new Don Welge (Chester) Bridge. The old bridge was demolished this past Monday, and that certainly added some excitement to our week. There are plenty of photographs and videos of that event … More A Return to Tante’s Cemetery
East Perry County, Missouri lost a great guy this past weekend, and heaven received another saint. Delbert Schmidt died this past Sunday at the ripe, old age of 98. Until then, he was the oldest living member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg. I am going to make an effort to tell just a little … More Delbert Schmidt – A Dedicated Docent Departs
The 2026 version of the East Perry Community Fair is now complete, and in retrospect, I think the Fair Board would agree that the weather for this year’s event could not have been better. As a result, it sure looked to me that it was very well attended. It was truly two great days of … More 2026 East Perry Community Fair – Day 2
I wrote the attached post 5 years ago. I have some responsibilities today, and I also hope to enjoy some Fair time of my own, so I will only share this old post again today. It documents the gathering of local folks who get to enjoy a little pre-Fair party the night before the Fair. … More The Pre-Fair Fair Is Finished – Let the Fair Begin
An Altenburg couple would be celebrating a special anniversary today, and you will be reading their story. I choose to begin with the groom. Gottlieb Buck was born on May 14, 1854, the 7th and last child of William and Justine (Schmidt) Buck. Gottlieb was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg. An image of … More A Buck for an Oehlert in Altenburg
