I saw the surnames, Funke and Ochs, show up in a search for an event that took place on January 28th. My immediate thought was that I had already written a post about this pair. I figured it would be a good story for this blog, but I thought it was also a done deal. … More A Funke-Ochs Longtown Duo
I may show my age when I say this, but I remember a style of music called funk. Perhaps some of you remember the song, “Play That Funky Music” sung by Wild Cherry. That genre of music was made famous by James Brown. Today, you will read about another James, one who married a woman … More Longtown’s Doc Russell and His Funke Bride
You will read the story of a man and a woman who were each born and raised in Perry County, but would spend much of their lives in St. Louis. However, later in their lives, they chose to return to their ancestral home. They would die and be buried in Perry County. There is some … More Henry Funke – St. Louis Streetcar Conductor
One of the big questions I came away with while researching the story of today’s birthday girl is how to spell her first name. I challenge you to look at the various documents I will display to see how it is spelled. You will find several different variations. And then, when all is said and … More Oswald and Otillie – Longtown Funke’s
I have often been amazed while researching characters for this blog at the resiliency of the people from Perry County. I have seen so many who have been faced with the necessity to change occupations as their lives have faced challenges. Today’s tale is another one in which one of the main characters goes through … More A Wirth-y Carpenter, Blacksmith, and Farmer in Longtown
About two months ago, I wrote a story that introduced the readers of this blog to a new name…Thorp. That post was titled, Rauh-Bergmann-Thorp-Fassold. Today, I will tell the story of a Thorp that comes in the next generation. That baby boy was born on this day 125 years ago, so today would be a … More Dayton and Victoria – The Thorp’s
Two years ago, a post was published with the title, George’s Girls. It told the story of George and Mathilda (Elbrecht) Bingenheimer who had 6 children…all girls. Today, you will read the story about one of those girls, who also happens to be today’s birthday girl. Oneida Lena Bingenheimer was born on May 23, 1897, … More One of George’s Girls Gets Funke
A baby boy was born in Perry County 150 years ago. Sadly, this baby was born after his father had died previously during November of that year. That baby was given the name August Johann Peter Meier, born on November 27, 1871. August’s parents were Heinrich and Anna (Beckmann) Meier. August was baptized at Salem … More Longtown Blacksmith Gets Funke
In the process of looking for a story today, I found two. The two stories have such similar characteristics and settings that I have decided to tell both of them. However, I also choose to tell them over two days so the blog post doesn’t get too long. So today, you will get Part 1, … More Longtown Shopkeepers – Part 1
Yesterday, I asked the question, “Who cuts a barber’s hair?” It took me just one day to find a possible answer. An answer in the case of the village of Longtown is that you train your nephew to be a barber and let him cut your hair. Today’s story begins with the birthday of the … More Longtown’s Hair Hacker – The Next Generation (Funke Haircuts)
