Today, I will tell the tale of Herman Heeszel (pronounced Hazel), whose life began in Jacob, Illinois but he did not live there for long. Most of his life was spent in the Northwest region of the United States. Herman Johann Martin Heeszel was born on July 7, 1895, thus qualifying him to be called … More Herman Heeszel – Great Northern Casket Company
I republished an old post about some Schirmer’s a few days ago. I did not expect to find another Schirmer so soon after that post. Carl Theodore Schirmer was born on December 7, 1885, so today would be his 138th birthday. Carl, mostly called Charles during his life, was the son of Adolph and Clara … More Charles Schirmer – Howe Scale Expert
When I began to look for a story to tell for today’s post, I was surprised to find another person from our German Family Tree who made her way to Oregon. After all, yesterday’s story about an Eggers family recounted the story of that clan making their way to Corvallis, Oregon. Today’s Perry County character … More Another Perry County Resident Makes Her Way to Oregon
My career was spent as a Lutheran educator. I spent my days in several states, picked up a wife and family along the way, and served as both a classroom teacher and a principal. The main character in today’s story followed pretty much that same pattern. He also is today’s birthday boy. Paul Theodor Valentin … More Teacher Noennig
I have been honored to write for this blog. However, that is not why I have composed the above title. Instead, there was once a Lutheran pastor who could have said after his wedding, “I have been “Ahner”ed.” (The surname Ahner is pronounced the same as the word “honor”.) And since his surname was Iben, … More Iben “Ahner”ed
Although today’s story begins in Perry County, it certainly does not end there. The story involves lumber, cabinet making, furniture, and casket making. What do all these activities have in common? Trees. Perry County certainly has plenty of trees, but the family involved in today’s episode later moved to another area known for its trees. … More The Miesner-Heeszel Partners
Today’s post really does not have much connection to East Perry County, but I want to write it anyway for a couple reasons. It will be a story that illustrates how my research often takes me down some side roads. We start with a confirmation record. The Salem, Farrar church books say that Anna Wilhelmine … More Going Down the Side Roads
Oliver Otto Schirmer was born on August 13, 1900 in Altenburg, Missouri, and later in November of that year, he was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church. He was the son of Carl and Julie (Burns) Schirmer. These Schirmers disappear from any church or census records from Perry County after 1900, so I suspect they moved … More Oliver Follows Oregon Trail to Find Russians
