Band of Brothers

Anna Marie (Mary) Mahnken is today’s birthday girl.  She was born on September 26, 1881 in Farrar, Missouri and baptized at Salem Lutheran Church.  This is her baptism record. Mary’s parents were John and Mary (Versemann) Mahnken. A little over a year later, a boy by the name of Johannes (John) Friedrich Theodore Bellmann was … More Band of Brothers

Butter, Bank, and Band

Our birthday boy for March 19th is Edmund Reinhard Mueller.  At our museum, Gerard Fiehler has come up with some classification names to describe the four major Mueller clans that have lived in Perry County over the years.  It helps us comprehend the Mueller maze that makes researching the Muellers such a challenge.  Edmund was … More Butter, Bank, and Band

The Jolley Boys

As I usually do, I did start today by finding an event that occurred on this date, but in the process, I ran across the following photo.  It shows the Jolley Boys Band of Pocahontas, Missouri.  To me, this picture was just irresistible.  I just had to do this story just so I could post … More The Jolley Boys

A Man of Many Talents

The year was 1899.  Three years earlier, William Drumtra’s wife, Mary (Mueller) Drumtra had died, leaving him with with four children, ages 15, 13, 7, and 3.  Now on January 4th, William was getting married again, this time to Sarah Beyer, the daughter of Teacher Beyer at Trinity Lutheran School.  Sarah was 23 years old … More A Man of Many Talents

Fair Traditions

The East Perry Community Fair is happening here in Altenburg this Friday and Saturday.  It has always been a special week for this area.  Thousands of people come to partake of the events that take place as part of this fair.  Plenty of food, fellowship, special events, and entertainment will abound. Today’s blog will consist … More Fair Traditions

An Austrian Carpenter Marries a Local Girl

On June 12 in 1881, Rev. J.F. Koestering had the privilege of uniting Gottlieb Samuel Meyr and Anna Sarah Haecker in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg.  Sarah’s father was one of the original immigrants, coming to America aboard the Olbers.  Gottlieb’s family immigrated to America from Austria in 1853.  Both Gottlieb and Sarah … More An Austrian Carpenter Marries a Local Girl