Jacob Martin Darnstaedt is today’s birthday boy. He was born in Altenburg, but spent most of his life in Jackson County, Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from Perry County. Jacob was born on October 13, 1887, so today would be his 139th birthday. He was not the only baby born on that day. He … More Jacob, Lydia, and Freada – Cora, IL Darnstaedt’s
If you look at the baptism record for Johann George Schmidt, it says he was born on July 5, 1896. If that is the case, then today would be his 130th birthday. However, other records for George indicate that he was born on the 4th of July. So, I figure he celebrated that birthday either … More George Schmidt – WWI Horseshoer
Today’s main character, Charles Frentzel, lived in a variety of locations and was married to 3 different women. Charles outlived all 3 of those wives, and he himself did not make it to his 60th birthday. From what I see in the documents for Charles, I come to the conclusion that he lived a rather … More Charles Frentzel’s Tragic Life
The tale for today begins with a baby girl being born on this date 125 years ago. Hetwig Susanna Groh was born on June 8, 1899 in Jacob, Illinois. Susanna was the daughter of Ernst and Anna (Schuessler) Groh. Both of Susanna’s parents grew up in East Perry County, Missouri, but then after her father … More Groh Girl Becomes Pastor’s Wife
You will be presented with another surname today that has not appeared on this blog before. As it is in most cases, this is a new surname that is found when a Perry County native marries someone from another location. The new surname is Kueker. Based on what I have seen during my research on … More Farrar-Ruma-Campbell Hill (With a Stop in Kansas)
Yesterday, I told a story in which much of the information was found in the Arnsberg binder. Today, our story begins with a girl whose surname was Arensburg, which was sometimes spelled Arnsburg. Today’s birthday girl ends up marrying a Heise, and we are going to discover that the Heise name hops back and forth … More Heise Hopping
In the history of Concordia Lutheran School in Frohna, we find an amazing duo of teachers. The two teachers both had names that started with a “W”. Between the two of them, they put in 101 years of service to that congregation and school. During many of those years, the faculty of Concordia consisted of … More Teacher Henry’s Son, Pastor Harry
