In the early years of the German Lutheran immigration, Rev. C.F.W. Walther married Emilie Buenger. We will discover another Emilie today that married a Walther, making her another Emilie Walther. If you follow this blog regularly, you are probably already aware of the fact that there were some famous Walther’s who were pastors in the … More Another Emilie Walther
A wedding took place on this day 121 years ago at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, Missouri. The groom was August Bendel; the bride was Emma Kranawetter. Their story is yet another case in which the people involved began living in Missouri, but spent most of their lives in Illinois. August Bendel was born on … More Bendel the Burier
Benjamin Hopfer and Emma Vogel were married on this date 114 years ago. Although Emma lived to the ripe, old age of 92, her husband, Ole’ Ben Hopfer, oulived her, making it into three-digit territory. We will take a look at this couple today. Benjamin Hopfer was born on November 10, 1882, the son of … More Ole’ Ben Hopfer
The year, 1944, had barely begun. Just outside New York Harbor, the ship, USS Turner, had arrived late during the evening of January 2nd and anchored near the Ambrose Light. The next morning, explosions were heard from the ship, and it began to list. The aerial photo below must have been taken at about that … More Trains, Ships, and Tragedy
When I found a marriage that united a Brunkhorst with a Wichern on this date back in 1881, I immediately thought of two boat landings along the banks of the Mississippi River. These landings no longer exist, but they once were important places back when there were no bridges nearby to enable folks to cross … More Brunkhorst Weds Wichern in Jacob
You might call today’s post a continuation of yesterday’s. I will tell you the tale of Arthur Estel’s younger brother, Walter. I found this story quite easily. I started my search in the German Family Tree where I left off yesterday, looking for a life event that took place on April 12th. The search took … More Brother Walter – The Station Agent
The post, The Estels Go East, was published back in 2017. It told the tale of Paul and Mathilda (Schneier) Estel. Today, I will tell the story of their eldest son, Arthur Estel. In a photo taken when Paul and Mathilda celebrated their 50th anniversary, we see Arthur standing in the back row on the … More Arthur and Caroline from Jacob
Our story today will center on one census entry because that document sent my brain into a tizzy. To be honest with you, my mind is still that way. If I walk away from this story and come back to it later, it’s like starting a jigsaw puzzle all over again. I hate to be … More Nicholas and His Confusing Household
I am calling Georg Gottlob Seibel today’s birthday boy, but there is a little confusion about his date of birth. There are conflicting church records. Based on Gottlob’s baptism record at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, Missouri, he was born on February 28, 1865 and baptized on March 3rd. Gottlob was the son of Jacob … More G.G. and A.A. Seibel
Yesterday’s post was about Henry Oetjen’s life story. As Paul Harvey often said, “This is the rest of the story.” Today, you get the story of Henry’s Oetjen cousins. I am going to start with Friedrich (Fred) Oetjen today. Friedrich Oetjen was born on April 7, 1887, one year after the birth of Henry. Fred … More Oregon’s Oetjen Cousins – Part 2
