Back in the days right before the turn of the 20th century, a boy was born in Pocahontas, Missouri, just south of the Apple Creek in north Cape Girardeau County. Ferdinand Friedrick (Fred) Schirmer was born on May 24, 1896. He was the son of Wilhelm and Anna Marie (Putz) Schirmer. Fred was baptized and … More Apple Creek to Dry Creek
The story begins in Germany. August Dietrich Fick was born on April 18, 1877. His parents were Hans Peter and Engel (Versemann) Fick who likely lived and died in Germany. August came to America by himself in 1892 when he was just 15 years old. Family stories say that he came to Perry County, Missouri … More Hulda’s Boys & the Loss of Her Buddy
Today’s story once again comes out of Farrar, but before I tell the story, I want to plug an event that is taking place in Farrar this weekend. Tonight and tomorrow are the final performances of a play that a group of folks mostly from Salem and Zion Lutheran Churches are putting on. Here is … More Teacher, Soldier, Postmaster
Today is the birthday of East Perry County’s most decorated World War II soldier, Captain Raymond Littge. He was a fighter pilot who was credited with destroying 23.5 enemy planes. He was born on October 18, 1923 in Altenburg, Missouri. He was the son of Henry and Martha (Ahner) Littge. Fairly recently, Raymond’s only sister, … More Ace High
Wilson Gerler was born on July 13, 1909. His story is another one, like yesterday’s post, that includes dogs. For those of you that follow this blog and read it regularly, you may remember that in the history of East Perry County, there are two basic groups of Gerlers…..the Lake Gerlers and the Ridge Gerlers. … More The Dogs of War
Abraham Lincoln concluded his Gettysburg Address with these words: “ It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve … More The Last Full Measure
My career as a Lutheran educator put me in several different locations. I lived in several different cities and towns over the years. I also consider myself to be somewhat of a birdwatcher. I want you to know that of all the places that I have lived or visited for a long enough time to … More Bluebird Housing Project
Anton Mueller can be included in the list of prolific fathers in East Perry County history. He was the father of three children with his first wife, Anna Drumtra. She died in 1896. In 1897, Anton married Marie Asche, and she bore him another 13 children. Only one of those died as an infant. Of … More One of Anton’s Army
