Feb 18

Tombstone Tuesday–John and Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer

John & Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

John & Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of John and Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

SCAER

John
1865-1940

 Elizabeth
1870-1951

The Scaer surname has been spelled several ways over the years. Spellings include Scaer, Scare, Scarr, and  Skahr. John’s brother Peter changed the spelling to Scare for his branch of the family. John and Elizabeth were my great-grandparents.

John Scaer was the third of five children born to Johann and Katherine (Emrick) Scaer. [He also had an older adopted step-sister, Elizabeth, from his mother’s first marriage.] John was born 1 May 1865 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. His parents were born in Germany and his father immigrated with his family about 1839. The family first lived near Winesberg in Holmes County, Ohio, before moving to Tuscarawas County. [1] They eventually moved to near Monroeville, Allen County, Indiana, in about 1867.

John married Elizabeth Katherine “Lizzie” Schinnerer on 15 April 1894 at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm. [2]
Lizzie was the sixth child born to Friedrich and Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer, born 23 April 1870 in Dublin Township, Mercer County, Ohio.

John & Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer, 1894.

John & Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer, 1894.

People usually found a spouse within three miles of their home, but John and Lizzie’s marriage did not adhere to that rule. The Scaers lived near Monroeville and the Schinnerers lived near Willshire, a distance of roughly 20 miles. John’s brother Peter married Lizzie’s sister Hannah in 1890 at Zion Schumm. I can see how John met Lizzie, since their siblings Peter and Hannah married, but I wonder how Peter and Hannah met. I would not be surprised if they met at a church-related function.

After they married, John and Lizzie lived near Monroeville. [3] By 1904 they had moved to Van Wert County and their fourth child Elsie was born there in 1904. [4]

The Scaers lived a couple miles east of Willshire on Willshire Eastern Road. Their first home was a frame house but they later built a brick home that still stands today. Their home was the next house east of Ludwig Schumm’s home. John and Lizzie’s daughter Hilda would eventually marry Ludwig Schumm’s son Cornelius and they were my grandparents.

John Scaer home east of Willshire, c1904. Willie, Elsie, Hilda, Edna Scaer.

John Scaer home east of Willshire, c1904. Willie, Elsie, Hilda, Edna Scaer.

John passed away 2 February 1940. Lizzie had a stroke about three years later and was confined to a wheelchair after that. She continued to live at her home with her son Oscar. Oscar never married and took care of her until she died on 28 October 1951, after suffering another stroke. Oscar resided in the Scare home place the rest of his life.

John and Lizzie (Schinnerer) Scaer had the following children:
Hilda Magdalena (1895-1997) married Cornelius Louis Schumm in 1927
Wilhelm (1897-1906)
Edna (1899-1985) married Emanuel Schumm in 1929
Elsie Elizabeth (1904-1998) married Paul Roehm in 1927
Oscar J. Scaer (1906-1992)

John and Lizzie are buried next to their son Oscar.

Obituary:
John Scaer, a well known and highly respected farmer, east of Willshire, died in the Decatur hospital Friday morning, Feb. 2, at the advanced age of 74 years, nine months and one day, following an extended illness.

Mr. Scaer was taken to the hospital about a month ago, suffering from serious complications. He underwent a major operation in the hope of prolonging his life, but the surgery was unavailing and he passed away Friday. 

He was born in Baltic, Tuscarawas Co., OH, on May 1st, 1865, where he was also baptized.  A few years later the family came to live near Monroeville, IN, where Mr. Scaer was admitted to membership in the Lutheran Church by confirmation.

In 1894 he was joined in marriage with Elisabeth nee Schinnerer. This marriage was blessed with five children, of whom four are living, one son having preceded him in death in 1906.

In 1904 Mr. Scaer settled on the farm a few miles east of Willshire, where he was residing when summoned by death.

The immediate family mourning his death are the following:  His wife, Elisabeth; his son, Oscar, still at home; Mrs. Cornelius Schumm, Mrs. Emanuel Schumm and Mrs. Paul Roehm, all residing within a few miles of the old homestead; nine grandchildren and one brother, Peter Scaer, residing near Schumm.

The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. A. Moeller at Zion Lutheran Church in Schumm Sunday afternoon, Feb. 4. The church choir rendered the music singing the beautiful hymn, “Who Knows How Near My End May Be.” Interment was made in the congregation’s cemetery at Schumm. Buchanan & Son were the morticians. [5]

John Scaer (1965-1940)

John Scaer (1865-1940)

John Scaer (1865-1940)

John Scaer (1865-1940)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obituary:
FUNERAL SERVICES TUESDAY FOR MRS. ELIZABETH SCARE OF EAST OF HERE
A stroke proved fatal to 81-year-old Mrs. Elizabeth Scaer, who died Sunday morning at her home two miles east of here. She had been an invalid for eight years.  The deceased was the daughter of Frederick Schumm-Schinnerer, was born April 23, 1876, and was married to John Scaer April 15, 1894. Her husband died February 2, 1940. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm.

Surviving are one son, Oscar Scaer, at home; three daughters, Mrs. Cornelius Schumm, Mrs. Emanuel Schumm and Mrs. Paul Roehm, east of here; one brother Henry Schinnerer of near here; three sisters, Mrs. Hannah Scaer and Mrs. T.C. Hoffman, of near here, and Mrs. B.D. Balyeat of Altedena, CA, and nine grandchildren. Rev. Werner P. vanKuhlberg officiated at the funeral services held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the home and at 2:30 at Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm. Burial was in the church cemetery. [6]

Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Schinnerer) Scaer (1870-1951)

Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Schinnerer) Scaer (1870-1951)

Lizzie (Schinnerer) Scaer (1870-1951)

Lizzie (Schinnerer) Scaer (1870-1951)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A second obituary was printed the following week:
Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Scaer, a long-time resident of Willshire Township were conducted on October 30 with Rev. Werner P. v.Kuhlberg officiating and with Zwick Funeral Home of Decatur in charge. Brief services were held at 2 p.m. at the home with only the immediate relatives and close friends of the deceased in attendance. From there the body was taken to the Zion Ev. Lutheran Church at Schumm to which Mrs. Scaer belonged as a member during her lifetime.

The funeral address was based on Psalm 42, v.11, the memory verse selected for her by Pastor Seemeyer at her confirmation. A well-represented congregation testified to the high esteem in which the deceased was held in this vicinity. A view of the remains concluded these services and the body was carried to the church cemetery for interment. 

Elizabeth Katherine Scaer (nee Schinnerer) was born on April 23, 1870, in Mercer County to Frederick Schinnerer and his wife, Elizabeth (nee Schumm). A little later the family moved into Willshire Township and she was confirmed at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church on Palm Sunday April 28, 1884, which also happened to be her fourteenth birthday.  Her memory verse on the occasion was the last verse of the 42nd Psalm, and this verse also served as the text of her funeral address. This Psalm was one of the favorite ones for her. 

On April 15, 1894, she was married to John Scaer of this community, who preceded her in death on February 2, 1940. Their almost 46 years of happy union were blessed with five children, of which one son died at the age of nine. The other children are still living in the community:  Mrs. Cornelius (Hilda) Schumm, Mrs. Emanuel (Edna) Schumm, Mrs. Paul (Elsie) Roehm, and Oscar, who resides on the farm of his late parents.

Besides the above mentioned children, she leaves to mourn her one brother, Henry Schinnerer on the farm just outside of Willshire, as well as three sisters:  Mrs. Hannah Scaer, mother of Mrs. Rudy Allmandinger, with whom she makes her home; Mrs. Emma Balyeat of Altadena, CA, and Mrs. Amelia Hoffman, wife of T,D, Hoffman of this community. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, of whom one, Paul Roehm, Jr., serves his country on the battle fields of Korea. 

After a lingering illness of over eight years, she fell asleep rather unexpectedly at 5:45 on Sunday morning, October 28, on the day she had expressed her desire to participate in Holy Communion with the rest of the congregation.

She attained the age of 81 years, six months and five days. The earthly remains were committed to the ground at the side of those of her husband. [7]


[1] Lester W. N. Scarr, A short History and Family Tree of the Scarr/Skahr Family, (No place : privately printed, no date), 11, 21.

[2] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XD26-8HC : accessed 16 Feb 2014), John Scaer and Lizzie Schinnrer, 15 Apr 1894; citing Van Wert, Ohio, Marriages Vol. 8:287 #864, United States, reference 864; FHL microfilm 1015862. They were married by Rev. G.F.C. Seemeyer, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm.

[3] “United States Census, 1900,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MMBW-YV9 : accessed 16 Feb 2014), John Sear, Monroe Township, Allen, Indiana, United States; citing sheet 2A, family 28, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240358.

[4] “United States Census, 1910,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MLJ3-T3J : accessed 16 Feb 2014), John Scarer, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, United States; citing sheet 3A, family 56, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375251.

[5] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 8 February 1940, p.1.

[6] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 1 November 1951.

[7] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 8 November 1951.

 

 

 

Feb 14

About Grandmothers

I am happy to report that a new generation has been added to our family tree. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and as a result, I have a new title.

My new title, in addition to titles of Registered Dental Hygienist and Certified Genealogist, is Grandma. But unlike the other two, I didn’t have to study for years or take an examination for this position. The title of Grandma was simply bestowed upon me when Chloe Kay was born a couple weeks ago.

Chloe & Karen

Chloe & Grandma Bennett

Being Grandma is an important position. A grandma’s duties include providing a warm, soft lap, a listening ear, fresh-baked cookies, and the ability to dry tears. But my grandmothers also taught me many important things.

I knew three of my grandmothers, Grandma Miller, Grandma Schumm, and Grandma Brewster. Grandma Brewster was my great-grandmother and I vaguely remember visiting her. But I distinctly remember the other two because I spent a considerable amount of time with them.

Grandma Miller and me.

Grandma Miller and me.

Grandma Miller taught me how to fry potatoes and pork chops in a cast iron skillet using lard, how to make stewed tomatoes, how to sew with a treadle sewing machine, to have a sense of humor, and how to win at Gin Rummy. Yes, she may have cheated a little at cards, but it was all in fun.

From my Grandma Schumm I got an appreciation of nice things, like fine China, antique dishes, and quilts. She was also like a pioneer woman. She gardened and made nearly everything from scratch. I once watched her prepare a chicken for dinner. When I say she prepared a chicken, I mean that she prepared it from start to finish. The chicken’s morning started out like a typical day in the barnyard but  ended tragically for the poor fowl.

Grandma Schumm (Hilda Scaer Schumm)

Grandma Schumm (Hilda Scaer Schumm)

I barely remember my great-grandma Brewster, just that Grandpa Miller would take Grandma to visit her in Geneva every few weeks and I would tag along. Their long conversations were boring to me back then but now I wish I could go back in time and listen to them talk.

Grandma Miller (Gertrude Brewster Miller) and Great-grandma Brewster (Pearl Reid Brewster)

Grandma Miller (Gertrude Brewster Miller) and Great-grandma Brewster (Pearl Reid Brewster)

I look forward to being Grandma, but along with the title comes a big responsibility.

What will I teach Chloe?

I want to teach her to have faith in God. To be honest and fair and to be persistent in whatever she does. To like what she does and to finish what she starts. To have a sense of humor, to enjoy reading, and to be creative.

I hope to teach her to enjoy and appreciate music and I will encourage her to take music lessons.

I would like to teach her to appreciate nature—to enjoy watching birds, walking through a woods, and to marvel at the beautiful sky at sunrise and sunset.

I could teach her some crafty skills like counted cross-stitch, sewing, crocheting, scrap-booking, and rubber stamping.

I will certainly teach her about our family history and encourage an interest in genealogy so that maybe she will want to continue family research and record-keeping. I have a lot of information and photos to pass on to her.

Chloe Kay Bennett

Chloe Kay Bennett

This is Chloe’s first “professional” photograph, taken at the hospital when she was only one day old. Chloe is wearing a sleeper I made for Jeff when I was pregnant and she is laying on a blanket that her great-grandmother Miller crocheted for Jeff and was used at his baptism.

What a wonderful way to create and pass on family heirlooms. Thanks Jeff and Erin for being so thoughtful!

And thank you for the beautiful little granddaughter.

Feb 11

Tombstone Tuesday–Maria Schinnerer

Maria Schinnerer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

Maria Schinnerer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Rosine Catherine Marie Schinnerer, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The nearly illegible marker is inscribed:

Maria ?
Tochter von
F. & E. Schinner
geb. 14 Mai 1864
gest. 23 April 1875
Alter 10 Jahr
11 Monat, 9 Tage

Translation: Maria ?, Daughter of F. & E. Schinner, born 14 May 1864, died 23 April 1875, age 10 years, 11 months, 9 days.

Thanks to Sue A., who last week asked about this tombstone, which had been identified as that of Maria Schumm. Sue asked who Maria Schumm was and who her parents were.

Only a few words and dates are still legible on the stone but they are enough to compare with information from Zion Schumm’s birth/baptism and death/burial records and to correctly identify the individual.

The weathered marker was incorrectly read and transcribed in Van Wert County, Ohio, Cemetery Inscriptions, Vol. V (1992, p.81), and was also incorrectly identified on Find a Grave. Both were correct about the birth and death dates, but the surname was incorrect.

According to her baptism record, Rosine Catharine Marie Schinnerer, daughter of Friedrich and Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer, was born 14 May 1864 and baptized 22 May 1864. Rosine Schumm, Catharine Hofmann, and Maria Schinnerer were sponsors at her baptism. [She was the second child born to Friedrich and Elixabeth.]

Rosine Catharine Marie died 23 April 1875 and was buried in the church cemetery 25 April. Her funeral text was Jeremiah 19:11.

Schinnerer was misread as Schumm on this old tombstone and that would be easy to do. In fact, the stone carver may have run out of room and spelled the surname as Schinner or Schinerer.

A lamb is carved at the top of the marble tombstone and represents innocence and indicates that it is the marker of a child.

Feb 07

Friedrich Schinnerer–Immigration & 1st Marriage

Meet Friedrich Schinnerer, my great-great-grandfather. He was born in Ipsheim, Bad-Windsheim, Kingdom of Bavaria, on 8 May 1824, the third child of Georg Michael and Anna Barbara (Zeller) Schinnerer. His paternal grandparents were Johann Conrad and Margaretha (Doepert) Schinnerer. [1]

Friedrich Schinnerer (1824-1905)

Friedrich Schinnerer (1824-1905)

When he was almost 25 years of age Friedrich sailed from Le Havre, France, on the ship Harve and arrived in New York on 16 June 1849. [2] On the passenger list his name looks like Friedrich “Schemerer.” Next to him on the list was Marg. “Deir.” He was 24 years old and she was 26. Both were from Prussia.

The U.S. ship Havre was built at New York in 1845 for Fox & Livingston’s Union Line and it sailed with the line for 17 years. The two deck ship was built of white oak and weighed 870 tons. The average voyage from Europe to New York was 34 days. [3]   

Ship Havre passenger list, June 1849.

Friedrich and Margaretha, Havre passenger list, June 1849.

It appears that Friedrich was traveling with Margaretha Deier, the woman listed next to him on the passenger list. Soon after arriving in New York, Friedrich and Margaretha traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, where they married on 4 July 1849. They were married by C.A.H. Allardt, Minister of the Gospel. [4] Rev. Allardt was the pastor of Cleveland’s Schifflein Christi Church [Little Boat of Jesus], a German Evangelical Protestant church, founded in 1835, located at Erie and Hamilton Streets. [5]   

Friedrich Schinnerer, Margaretha Deier marriage record, Cuyahoga Co., Oh, Vol 5:4, 4 Jul 1849.

Friedrich Schinnerer, Margaretha Deier marriage record, Cuyahoga Co., Oh, Vol 5:4, 4 Jul 1849.

Soon after their marriage the Schinnerer couple traveled to Mercer County, Ohio, and set up residence in the Rockford area. It was there, in Dublin Township, that the first of their eight children was born. According to the records of Zion Lutheran, Schumm, Rosina Dorothea Schinnerer was born 16 August 1849 and was baptized on the 17th, with Jacob Schumm as her sponsor. The records do not give her death date but she was buried on 1 September, at the age of 14 days.

Most of Friedrich and Margaretha’s children died young and only two lived to adulthood. Daughter Anna “Rosine” married Henry Schumm, aka “River Henry,” and daughter Maria Magdalena “Lena” married Christian Hofmann.

In 1850 the Schinnerers were living in Dublin Township, Mercer County, Ohio, enumerated as Frederick and Margt “General.” Their surname was written at “General” and it was a challenge to find them in this census enumeration. However their given names, ages, and places of birth match and they were living next to John Rhodes, for whom Friedrich probably worked. [6] This will be discussed in a future post. Friedrich was 26 and Margaretha was 27 and both were born in Germany. There were no children living with the couple in 1850.

The Schinnerers were still living in Dublin Township in 1860 and there were four children in the household. Their household in 1860: Frederick, 36; Margaret, 38; Frederick, 7; Lucinda, 6; Mary, 4; Magdalena, 3. All the children were born in Ohio. Friedrich must have been doing quite well by this time because they had a servant, Elizabeth Coats, 29, from Germany. An apprentice was also living with them, John Shum, 18, born in Ohio. This may have been the son of Georg Martin and Anna Maria (Pflüger) Schumm, born in 1843 and died in the Civil War. Friedrich’s occupation was given as “flourist,” which I assume was meant to describe his occupation as mill operator. [7]  

Children of Friedrich and Margaretha (Deier) Schinnerer:
Rosina Dorothea (1849-1849)
Susann Barbara (1851-1851)
Frederick Pankratius Martin (1853-1861)
Anna Rosine (1854-1891) Married Henry “River Henry” Schumm in 1872
Maria Margaretha (1855-1861)
Maria Magdalena “Lena” (1857-1934) Married Christian Hofmann in 1879
Johann Martin (1859-1860)
Johann Martin (1861-1862)

Daughter Anna "Rosine" Schinnerer (1854-1891), married "River Henry" Schumm.

Daughter Anna “Rosine” Schinnerer (1854-1891), married “River Henry” Schumm.

According to Zion’s records, Margaretha Schinnerer died in 27 November 1861 of typhoid, at the age of 39 years, 3 months, and 14 days. The record indicates that she was born in Ipsheim, Bavaria, on 12 August 1822, that she traveled to America in June 1849, and that she married 16 Aug 1849 in Cleveland. The last date was actually the date their daughter Rosina Dorothea was born. Although Margaretha is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery her tombstone does not remain today.

Widower Friedrich Schinnerer married Elisabeth Schumm on 12 June 1862.

Next: Friedrich’s livelihood.

 

[1] Information about our German Schinnerer ancestors is from distant cousin Barry James Schinnerer, who compiled Schinnerer Genealogy 1545-2003, privately printed. Barry’s research came from several German sources: an early 1900 Schinnerer genealogy by Paul Schiennerer; a genealogy by Schinnerer descendant Hans Ulrich Pudelko; information from Walkther Gresser, husband of a Schinnerer descendant; church records; and the Brenner Collection [church, census and civil records from Mittelfranken, Bavaria, compiled by Tobias Brenner and his research team, contained in over 700 rolls of microfilm at the Family History Library].

[2] Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 February 2014), for Friedrich Schemer, 24, arrived 16 June 1849 aboard Havre; from National Archives microfilm M237, roll 80.   

[3] Palmer List of Merchant Vessels (www.geocities.com/mppraetorius/com-ha.htm : accessed 5 February 2014). Watercolor image of the ship on the website.

[4] Cuyahoga County Marriages Vol.  5: 4, #1, Probate Office, Cleveland, Ohio.

[5] Germans, “Cleveland and Its Neighbors,” https://sites.google.com/site/clevelandanditsneighborhoods/home/ethnic-groups-in-cleveland/germans : accessed 5 February 2014.

[6] 1850 U.S. Census, Dublin, Mercer County, Ohio, p. 549 (penned) p. 276A (stamped), line 27, dwelling 807, family no. 811, Frederick General; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 February 2014); from National Archives microfilm M432, roll 710.

[7] 1860 U.S. Census, Dublin, Mercer County, Ohio, p. 42, dwelling 296, family 300, Frederick Shimer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 February 2014); from Family History Library Microfilm 805009,  from National Archives microfilm M653, roll 1009.

Feb 04

Tombstone Tuesday–Friedrich & Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer

Friedrich & Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

Friedrich & Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Friedrich and Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Elisabeth
Schinnerer
Geb. den 17 Nov. 1841
Gest. den 11 Juli 1917
Alter 75 Ja. 7 Mo. 24 Ta.
Friedrich
Schinnerer
Geb. den 8 Mai 1824
Gest. den 5 Feb 1905
Alter 80 Ja. 8 Mo. 27 Ta.
Schinnerer

Translation: Elisabeth Schinnerer, born the 17 November 1841, died the 11 July 1917, aged 75 years, 7 months, 24 days. Friedrich Schinnerer, born the 8 May 1824, died the 5 February 1905, aged 80 years, 8 months, 27 days.

Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer was the first child born to Ludwig and Maria Barbara (Pflüger) Schumm. Both parents were born in Württemberg and Elisabeth was born in Ohio. Her birth predates the records of Zion Lutheran Schumm, but her marriage and death were recorded.

According to her church death record, survivors included six daughters, one son, one daughter-in-law, six sons-in-law, one sister, three brothers, one half brother, one step-daughter, one half sister, and 25 grandchildren. She was buried on the 15th. Again, there are contradictions. Her death certificate indicates that she was born in 1842 and that she died of chronic nephritis on the 12th. Her daughter Mollie was the informant for her death certificate. [1] Since Elisabeth was buried on the 15th, she may have died on the 12th and the church record and tombstone may be incorrect.

Obituary:
Mrs. Fred Schinerer [sic], one of the best known and respected ladies of Willshire township,died at her late home last Wednesday night. Mrs. Schinerer, who was more than 75 years of age, was born and lived her entire life in Willshire township. Mrs. Schinerer is survived by six daughters and one son, Mrs. Bert Balyeat of California; Mrs. Joseph Gunsett, Mrs. John Scaer, Mrs. Theodore Huffman, [sic] H.F. Schinerer all of Willshire township; Mrs. Peter Scaer [sic] of Harrison township and Mrs. J.H. Gunsett of Van Wert.

Funeral services were held Sunday morning at the late home and at the Schumm church, Rev. Geo. Meyers officiating. [2]

Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer (1841-1917)

Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer (1841-1917)

Elisabeth Schumm married Friedrich Schinnerer on 12 Jun 1862 in Van Wert County. [3]

Friedrich Schinnerer was the third child born to Georg Michael and Anna Barbara (Zeller) Schinnerer. According to Zion Schumm records he was born in Windsheim, Kingdom of Bavaria. Friedrich sailed to America on the ship Harve, arriving in New York on 16 June 1849. [4] Two of his brothers, Johann “Pankratius” and Martin, immigrated together a few years later and also settled in Van Wert County.

Friedrich was married twice. His first wife Mary Deier died in 1861, leaving Friedrich with three young children. He then married Elisabeth Schumm and they had many children. The church records indicate they had 15 children, but most other records indicate only the children that lived to adulthood.

The children of Friedrich and Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer:
Catharina Elisabeth “Barbara Anna” (1863-1897)
Rosina Catharine Marie (1864-1875)
Anna “Clara” (1866-1942) married Joseph Gunsett
Heinrich Friedrich (1867-1952) married Louise Maria Schumm
Johannah “Hannah” Magdalene (1868-1958) married Peter Scare
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Katherine (1870-1951) married John Scaer
Maria Rosina Sophia (1871-1927) married J. Herman Gunsett
Maria Amalia (1873-1873)
Emma Barbara (1874-1963) married Burton B. Balyeat
Johann Ludwig Wilhelm (1876-1882)
Carl Friedrich (1878-1878)
Christian Martin (1879-1881)
Wilhelmine Margaretha (1881-1881)
Amalia “Mollie” (1883-1955) married Christ “Theodore” Hofmann
Unnamed female Schinnerer (1886-1886)

Children of Friedrich & Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer. Back: Hannah, Lizzie, Sophie, Emma. Front: Clara, Mollie, Henry.

Children of Friedrich & Elisabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer, c1888. Back: Hannah, Lizzie, Sophie, Emma. Front: Clara, Mollie, Henry.

It is interesting to note that “Hannah” Schinnerer [sister of my great-grandmother Elizabeth “Lizzie”] married Peter Scare [brother of my great-grandfather John Scaer, who married Lizzie]. Peter changed the spelling his surname from Scaer to Scare. Same family, same brothers, different spelling.

Friedrich Schinnerer was a prominent farmer in the Willshire area and several local newspapers printed his obituary: The Van Wert Daily Times, Ohio City News, and The Willshire Herald, which published two death notices for him.

Obituary:
Frederick Schinnerer, one of the oldest residents of this county died at 2:00 Feb. 5, from the infirmities of old age, at his home in Willshire. Mr. Schinnerer was a native of Germany, having been born in Wiesheim [sic] on the 8th day of May, 1824.  At the age of twenty-five he sought his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and passed most of his life close to the place of his death.  During his long and useful life he succeeded in surrounding himself with a goodly number of friends and a bounteous supply of worldly goods.  He leaves behind him a wife and eight children, all of whom are residents of this county.  He was a devoted and lifelong member of the German Lutheran church and his funeral will be conducted from their church at Schumm at 10:00 today, by the Rev. Mr. Seemeyer.  The names of his children are Mrs. Christ Hofmann and Mrs. Peter Scare of Pleasant Township, Mrs. Joseph Gunsette, [sic] H.F. Schinnerer, Mrs. John Scare [sic] and Miss Mollie Schinnerer of Willshire Township; Mrs. J.G. Gunsette and Mrs. B.B. Balyeat of Van Wert. [5]

Friedrich Schinnerer (1824-1905)

Friedrich Schinnerer (1824-1905)

Obituary:
Death of an Honored Citizen
Frederick Schinnerer, one of the most prosperous farmers and highly respected citizen of this community died at his home one mile east of Willshire at 2 o’clock Sunday morning after a short illness.

Mr. Schinnerer was born in Winstein, [sic] Germany, May 8th, 1824. He came to America in 1849. In 1872 he moved to his late residence east of Willshire, prior to that time living at Rockford.

He was twice married, and is survived by a wife and eight children, seven daughters and one son: Mrs. Lena Hoffman, [sic] Pleasant township; Mrs. Sarah Gunsett, Willshire township; H. F. Schinnerer, Willshire township; Mrs. Hannah Scar, Pleasant township; Mrs. Lizzie Scar, Willshire township; Mrs. Sophia Gunsett, Van Wert; Mrs. Emma Balyeat, Van Wert, and Mollie Schinnerer, living at home.

Funeral services were held at the German Lutheran church in Schumm at ten o’clock Tuesday morning, conducted by Rev. Seemyer [sic]. Both German and English services were held.

Mr. Schinnerer, it may be said of him, was a model man, a model farmer and a model citizen. The Herald extends sympathy to the sorrowing family in their bereavement. And this community as a whole, realizes the loss it has sustained in the death of one of its most substantial citizens. [6]

Obituary:
Frederick Schinnerer was born the 8th day of May, 1824 at Winsheim, [sic] Bavaria, Germany. In 1849 he immigrated to this country and settled in Dublin Township, Mercer county, O. A miller by trade he embarked in the milling business and built a saw mill and a grist mill on the banks of the St. Marys river. The only mill far and near at that time. In 1874 or ’75 he sold out his mill and the land on which it was located and bought the farm on which his son, Henry now resides, and lived on it for some years. He then bought the farm adjoining this on the east, on which he built a fine brick residence, where he lived until his death.

Mr. Schinnerer was twice married. His first wife, who came with him to this county, died the 26th of November, 1861. In the following year, 1862, on the 12th of June, he was again united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Schumm, who survives him. He died the 5th day of February, 1905, of infirmities of old age, at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 27 days. The interment took place on the 7th of February in the cemetery of the German Ev. Lutheran congregation, of which he was a true and faithful member ever since he came to this country. [7]

Elisabeth and Friedrich are my second great-grandparents. Elisabeth is also my second great-grandaunt because her brother Johann “Louis” was also my great-great-grandfather.

Elisabeth has been a very popular name in our branch of the Schumm family over the years. I descend from Friedrich and Elisabeth’s daughter Elisabeth “Lizzie” and my mom’s middle name is Elizabeth.

There will be more about the interesting Friedrich Schinnerer in upcoming blog posts.

 

[1] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8J8-VPT : accessed 02 Feb 2014), Elizabeth Schinerer, 12 Jul 1917; citing Willshire Twp., Van Wert, Ohio, reference fn 48837; FHL microfilm 1984103.

[2] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 20 July 1917, p.1.

[3] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8PQ-DXH : accessed 02 Feb 2014), Frederick Schinner and Elizabeth Schum, 12 Jun 1862; citing Van Wert, Ohio, United States, reference, Vol. 2:316; FHL microfilm 1015859.

[4] Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 February 2014), for Friedrich Schemer, 24, arrived 16 June 1849 aboard Havre; from National Archives microfilm M237, roll 80.  

[5] Van Wert Daily Times, Van Wert, Ohio, 7 February, 1905.

[6] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 9 February 1905, p. 4.

[7] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 23 February 1905, p. 4.