The main character in today’s story is Johannes Traugott Kluegel, who was born on October 30, 1848. He was alternately called Johannes or John in some documents and Traugott in others. His gravestone calls him T.J. I am going to use the name, Traugott, mainly because that name means “trust God” in German, and I … More Traugott Kluegel – St. Louis Carriage Maker
Two days ago, I wrote the story of an Oehlert couple who had two sets of twins. Yesterday, we had some visitors who live in St. Louis whose grandparents also had two sets of twins…the Poppitz Pairs. I have decided to take a day off from researching today for a few reasons, one of them … More Poppitz Pairs Progeny
Today’s birthday boy is Heinrich Joseph Schlimpert, who was born on February 2, 1866. That makes today Joseph’s 160th birthday. He was the son of Johann Traugott and Johanna Rosine (Schuricht) Schlimpert. Joseph was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, and we can look at his baptism record below. Before I move on with … More Joseph and Bertha – Additional Seelitz Schlimpert’s
I found the story of a man who would be celebrating his bicentennial birthday today, and I love to tell such stories. Christian Gustavus Guenther was born on January 5, 1826, so today would be his 200th birthday. A later marriage record will state that Gustave was from Hohenkirchen, Germany, and if I have identified … More St. Louis Cooper’s Bicentennial Birthday
My focus today, other than on morning worship, is once again a volleyball tournament. I will unashamably state that our granddaughters will be playing for the Illinois State Lutheran Volleyball Championship later this afternoon. The attached story about Ferdinand Poppitz and Hanna Bollefer has a connection to my family, so that is one of the … More A Late-Blooming Romance in Seelitz
It is not often that I write the story of a person who is still alive and well, still wandering the face of the earth. However, that is the case today. I also get to write the story of a good friend. Today’s highlighted character is Lynn Degenhardt. I have mentioned Lynn on several occasions … More Grand Guru of the German Family Tree
When this post is published, I will likely be on the road to a baseball tournament in which our grandson will be playing. I knew I would not have time to write a new story, so I chose one that was originally written on this day 8 years ago. Theodore Poppitz was born on July … More Ted Terminated by Tornado While Tarrying for a Trolley
Back in 2019, a post was published about a Poppitz bride and a Lueders groom. That couple was married in 1917 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, the church of the bride. A photo of the wedding party of Arthur Lueders and Hulda Poppitz is shown here. A year after the above wedding took place, … More Another Lueders/Poppitz Pair
I rarely write a story on this blog that recognizes the anniversary of a death. I am much more likely to focus on celebratory events like birthdays and weddings. However, when I found the date of death of one of the leaders of the Stephanites who arrived in Perry County in 1839, I think it … More “Lord Jesus, You Have My Soul”
Julius Gotthilf Poppitz had quite an unusual childhood. His mother died before he was even 3 years old. Right after he turned 3, he got a new stepmother. When he was about 7 years old, his stepmother died. At the age of 8, he got his second stepmother. Then when he was just 9, his … More Gotthilf Poppitz – St. Louis Furniture Dealer
