Pioneer Starzingers

The research library at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum is called the Starzinger Family Research Library, thanks to a generous donation from people that were descendants of that clan. Today, I hope to tell the story of the original members of the Starzinger family to arrive in our area. That means I have to … More Pioneer Starzingers

Pocahontas Blacksmith

Today would be August Johann Kutscher’s 125th birthday. He was born on March 24, 1897, the son of Martin and Diamanda (Leine) Kutscher. A previous post, Diamanda’s Dozen, told the story of August’s parents. August was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, but since I am away from Altenburg today, I am not … More Pocahontas Blacksmith

Frohna Feed Store

One of today’s main characters is the son of one of the proprietors of the Frohna Flour Mill. This son went on to be involved in the operation of the Frohna Feed Store. I have to wonder how these two businesses were related to each other. However, I am temporarily located near Chicago, Illinois and … More Frohna Feed Store

Lena Starzinger Joins the Neighborhood

A few days ago, in a post titled, Ed and Julie Koenig, it was pointed out that a passenger list included the surnames Koenig, Koch, and Haertling, and several folks with those surnames ended up forming a “neighborhood” of farms in the Shawnee Township. That neighborhood remained intact over at least 3 census records…30 years. Today, … More Lena Starzinger Joins the Neighborhood