Nov 19

Tombstone Tuesday–Johann Georg Schumm

Johann Georg Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Johann Georg Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Johann Georg Schumm, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. His sandstone marker is still very readable and is inscribed:

Selig sind die toda-
en die in dem Herrn
sterben von nun an Ia
Der Geist Sprieght dass
sie ruhen von ihier arbeit,
Den ihre Werke folgen ihnen
Nach, Offenb. 14, 13.
Hier ruhet in Frieden
Weilan Johann Georg Schum
Geb. in d. 5 Aug anno 1777
Gest. d. 15 Sept 1846
In einem alter
Von
69 jahren 1 Mont U. 10 tagen

Translation: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Rev. 14:13. Here rests in peace formerly Johann Georg Schum, born 5 August in the year 1777, died the15 September 1846, at the age of 69 years, 1 month and 10 days.

A metal plaque behind the tombstone reads:

John George Schumm
Born Aug. 4, 1777 in
Ruppertshofen, Germany
Died Sept. 15, 1846 in
Schumm, Ohio
Settled in Schumm, Ohio in 1838

Plaque behind Johann Georg Schumm tombstone, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Plaque behind Johann Georg Schumm tombstone, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Johann Georg Schumm was born on 4 August 1777 in Ruppertshofen, Württemberg, the son of John Georg and Anna Margarete (Franz) Schumm. [1] His German birth record gives his date of birth as 4 August so the tombstone is incorrect.

Johann Georg Schumm married Anna Maria Fisher on 28 April 1807 in Ruppertshofen, Württemberg.  Anna Maria was born on 3 Mar 1779 in Ruppertshofen and died there on 5 Feb 1822.

Johann Georg Schumm, with four of his sons and a daughter, left from the port of Hamburg in mid-April of 1833, bound for America. They sailed on the Brig Zelia and arrived at the Port of Philadelphia on 3 June 1833. The Johann Georg Schumm family, as listed on the ship’s passenger list: John G Schum, age 55; John F, 19; George M, 20; John J, 17; Georg L, 16, and Maria C, 23. [2]

Once they were in America the Schumms traveled to and resided for several years near Winesburg in Holmes County, Ohio. Since most immigrants traveled to where relatives, friends and neighbors had already settled, the Schumms undoubtedly knew some of the families that were already living in the Holmes County area.

The little village of Winesburg was settled by German Lutheran immigrants and the Schumms worshiped with them. Several of Johnann Georg Schumm’s children were married at Winesburg during this time: Maria Katherina married Michael Schüller in 1833 [3]; George Martin married Maria Pflüger in 1838 [4]; Johann Friedrich married Magdalena Meyer in 1838 [5]; George Ludwig married Maria Barbara Pflüger in 1840 [6]. Johann Jacob married Hannah Boyer in 1839 in Van Wert County. [7]

Four years after arriving in America Johnann Georg Schumm visited the Van Wert County area. At that time the US government was encouraging westward migration and land cost as little as $1.25/acre. He liked the area east of Willshire and decided to move his family there.

On 26 April 1837 Johann Georg applied for three US land patents and his sons George Martin and Friedrich each applied for a land patent, all in Van Wert County. They paid a total of $1000 for the five quarter sections, amounting to 800 acres, in whiat is now the area of Schumm. The final land certificates were signed by President Martin Van Buren and dated 10 October 1840. [8]

It looks like the Schumms wanted to make sure that each of the five immigrant children had at least 160 acres of land. Johann Georg may have purchased the 3 quarter sections for his three children that could not purchase the land themselves. The two older sons, George Martin and Friedrich, were over 21 years of age in 1837 and could legally purchase land themselves. Katherina, married to Michael Schüler, would not have been able to purchase land because married women at that time were not legally permitted to purchase or own land. Son Ludwig was not 21 years of age in 1837 and would not have been legally allowed to purchase land. Eventually each of the Schumm children or their heirs had a tract of land in the area.

According to the records at Zion Schumm, the Schumms arrived in Van Wert County on 7 June 1838. It appears some of them traveled to and from Van Wert County and Holmes County during the years 1838-1840, since some of them were married in Holmes County during that time period.

Johann Georg Schumm was naturalized 2 October 1843 in Van Wert County.

Johann Georg Schumm (1777-1846). (2011 photo by Karen)

Johann Georg Schumm (1777-1846). (2011 photo by Karen)

Johann Georg died of typhus on 15 September 1846 at the age of 69 years, 1 month, and 10 days. He and his four sons were instrumental in establishing Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm and the town of Schumm. Unfortunately Johann George died three days before the first constitution of Zion Lutheran Church was adopted.

Johann Georg and Anna Maria (Fisher) Schumm had the following children:

Johann George (1807-1807)
George Michael (1808-1831)
Maria Katherina (1810-1838) married Michael Schüler
George Martin (1812-1871) married Maria Pflüger
Johann Friedrich (18140-l902) married Magdalena Meyer
Johann Jacob (1815-1853) married Hannah Boyer
George Ludwig (1817-1855) Maria Barbara Pflüger
Maria Rosine (1818-1819)
Anna Maria (1819-1819)
Maria Rosine (1821-1843)

Johann Georg Schumm is my great-great-great-grandfather. I descend from his son George “Ludwig” Schumm, All of Johann Georg’s children who immigrated with him are buried in Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

 

[1] Kirchenbuch, 1555-1986, Evangelische Kirche Rüppertshofen, OA Gerabronn, Württemberg, microfilm #1528604, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

[2] Philadelphia, Passenger Lists, 1800-1850, on-line database and images by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com “ accessed 24 Nov 2013); citing Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1883-1945, Micropublication T840, RG085, rolls #1-181, National Archives, Washington, D.C.; and Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1800-1882, Micropublication M425, RG036, rolls #1-108, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[3] “Ohio, Marriages, 1800-1958,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/SC7C-JNR : accessed 24 Nov 2013), Michael Scheuler and Catharine Schoone, 22 Nov 1833.

[4] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDP1-PT5 : accessed 24 Nov 2013), George Schumm and Mary Pfluger, 01 May 1838; citing Vol. 2 1831-1867, p. 44, Holmes, Ohio, United States, reference 272; FHL microfilm 477144.

[5] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDP1-59B : accessed 24 Nov 2013), Frederick Schum and Magdalena Meyers, 15 Aug 1838; citing Vol. 2 1831-1867, p. 53, Holmes, Ohio, United States, reference 276; FHL microfilm 477144.

[6] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDP1-R4F : accessed 24 Nov 2013), Lewis Schumm and Barbara Pfluger, Nov 1840; citing Vol. 2 1831-1867, p. 109, Holmes, Ohio, United States, reference ; FHL microfilm 477144.

[7] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1004,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VN31-9SL : accessed 24 Nov 2013), Jacob Schom and Hannah Boyer, 15 Feb 1839; citing Vol. 1937-1840, Van Wert, Ohio, United States, reference; FHL microfilm 1016002.

[8] Schumm land transactions:

The Schumms applied for land patents at the US Land Office in Lima, Ohio, on 26 April 1837:
John George: SW ¼  of Section 23 (cert #9724, Bureau of Land Management); NW ¼ of Section 26 (cert #9725, BLM); NE ¼ of Section 27 (cert #9726, BLM).
George Martin: SE ¼ of Section 22 (cert #9727, BLM).
Friedrich: NE ¼ of Section 22 (cert #9728, BLM).

10 March 1840:
Friedrich purchased the 160 acres in Section 26 from his father for $200 (Van Wert Deeds, Vol E:280).
George Martin purchased the 160 in Section 27 from his father for $200 (Van Wert Deeds, Vol E:282).

John Jacob received the 160 acres in Section 23 from his father (Van Wert Deeds, Vol E:183, Vol F:448).
The Schüller heirs eventually owned land in the NE ¼ of Section 22.
Lewis eventually owned the SE ¼ of Section 22.

 

Nov 15

Letters From a WWII Soldier

Yesterday I started sorting through the World War II letters my dad wrote and sent to my Aunt Em and her husband decades ago. A few weeks ago Em’s family gave me the stack of letters that had been stored away in Em’s attic all those years.

I plan to eventually transcribe them all, but for now I am sorting them out. I noticed that most of the letters were very general in content. My dad did not to give his whereabouts or any details of his squad’s activities. He undoubtedly was not allowed to give out that information.

Herb Miller in Paris

Herb Miller in Paris, WWII.

My dad repeated several things over and over in the letters he wrote: Thank you for the packages. Send more packages. I would love to have some home-baked cookies and fruit cake. How are things on the farm? How are things in Chattanooga?

The letters start when he was in basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, during the summer of 1944. The rest were sent from Europe. Ten of the letters were the small V-Mail letters, all written in 1945. I transcribed two of the V-Mail letters below:

March 10, 1945
Germany

Dear Sis, Jack and all,

How is everything coming along back Chattanooga way. I imagine the farm work is pretty well under way by now.

I received your box of Lady Wagner chocolate today and I mean to tell you they were really delicious. The squad thought they were good, too. There are twelve men in the squad and they are all regular fellows. When we receive a box we share alike.

I’ve now gotten the Combat Infantry man’s badge. I get $10 more per month, now with $4 more for P.F.C. and $70 for overseas. That makes my pay check $74 before deductions.

Well Jack I’ve got myself a Luger now and also a German paratrooper knife. They will make nice souvenirs.

I received the Rockford newsletter today. It’s got quite a bit of news in it. Must close for now and thanks again for the candy. Tell Mom not to worry. I’ll write tomorrow. Hope to see you soon.

Love,
Herbie

V-Mail from Herbert Miller, 10 March 1945.

V-Mail from Herbert Miller, 10 March 1945.

Undated

Dear Em & Jack,

How are things coming along around Chattanooga and vicinity? I hear Bud Oakley is in 4-8 again. I’ll bet that makes him mad.

I can’t tell where I’m at neither can I give the date. I think they are military secrets.

I’ve been receiving my mail pretty regular but still no boxes. I sure would like to have some of those home baked cookies and cakes. I get pretty hungry for ice cream and malted milk, but will have to wait till I get back to the states to get anything like that.

I received the copy of the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” yesterday. Thanks a lot for sending a lot of songs like that one. We tried to sing but couldn’t remember all of the words.

Today for dinner we had baked beans, rice and meat balls, pears, bread, jam and coffee. This morning we had French toast, syrup, cereal and coffee.

I wrote to Mom and Dad yesterday and decided to write you today. I’m hurting pretty good for stationary or I could write more often. Guess I’d better close for now.

Love,
Herbie

PS Please send me a box of home baked cookies, hard candy or peanuts, and stationary to write back to you.

Envelope made from Map of Scotland, 1946.

Envelope made from Map of Scotland, 1946.

One envelope, postmarked 17 March 1946, caught my eye. The return address was from Corporal Herbert Miller with the American Red Cross name and emblem on the flap. But it was the inside of the envelope that was unique. It was a map! A map of Salachail and the surrounding area in Scotland. I do not know if the Red Cross provided fancy designer envelopes or if my dad made this envelope from a map. As far as I know, my dad was never in Scotland.

Envelope made from a map of Scotland, 1946.

Envelope made from a map of Scotland, 1946.

My dad, Herbert Miller, served in the Army from 1944-1946, in the 84th Infantry Division, 333rd Regiment, Company L, known at the Railsplitters. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and fought in Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Holland.

I will continue to transcribe these letters and will post some from time to time.

Nov 12

Tombstone Tuesday–J. Michael Grund

J. Michael Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

J. Michael Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of J. Michael Grund, located in row three of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The broken marker is inscribed:

J. Michael
Sohn von
[?] & E. Maria
Grund
Gestorben
Den.19, Novbr. 1857
Alter
24 Jahre, 19 Tag

Translation: J. Michael, son of [unreadable] & E. Maria Grund, died the 19 November 1857, age 24 years, 19 days.

This broken marble marker is nearly impossible to read. In 1992 the Van Wert County Chapter OGS read the surname on the tombstone as “Griebe” but I believe the name is Grund.

By using Zion Schumm’s church records I believe it is the tombstone of Johann Michael Grund. His is the only death recorded in November 1857 and the dates on the tombstone match the church records fairly well, but unfortunately, not exactly. The church records indicate he immigrated the same year as an older Grund couple and the wife’s name of that older couple matches the name of the mother on the tombstone above.

Zion’s death and burial record of Johann Michael Grund states that he was the son of Johann Grund. The record goes on to say that Johann Michael died very suddenly on 11 November 1857 at the age of 24 years and 22 days. It indicates that he was born in Oberamt Gerebronn, Württemberg, and that he arrived in America in 1852. He was born 20 October 1833, calculating his date of birth from the church records.

Zion’s records also give quite a bit of information about Johann Michael’s parents. Johann Heinrich Grund was born 4 May 1809 in Gerabronn, Württemberg. Johann Heinrich was married to Eva Maria Brenner and they immigrated in 1852. Johann Heinrich died 12 Nov 1875 and was buried 14 November.

Eva Maria Brenner was born in Michelbach, Württemberg, on 17 March 1805 and she died in Van Wert County 18 May 1880 at the age of 75 years, 2 months, and 1 day, according to the church records. The records state that she was married to Johann Heinrich Grund.

Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria Grund had five children but four of them were deceased when Johann Heinrich died in 1875. At that time their only living child was their son Georg Grund (1844-1926). Georg and his wife Maria (Rettig) Grund (1853-1913) were the subjects of last week’s Tombstone Tuesday post.

The following are four of Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria (Brenner) Grund’s children, as mentioned in Zion Schumm’s records:

Margaretha (c1830-1861) (m. Martin Geier) Died in childbirth with her child; no tombstone remains
Johann Michael (1833-1857)
Margaretha “Rosina” (1838-1861) (m. Adam Büchner on 9 September 1858)
Georg (1844-1926) (m. Maria Rettig)

The grave markers of Johann Michael Grund and his sister Rosina (Grund) Büchner are in the same row, with one stone in between them.

Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria (Brenner) Grund are probably buried in Schumm Cemetery but their stones no longer exist. There are several bases that no longer have stones and several burial plots in the old section that have no base or marker.

Nov 08

A Story for Veterans Day

This coming Monday, 11 November, we commemorate Veterans Day. Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was created to recognize of the end of World War I.  Fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”  Veterans Day was made a legal holiday in 1938.

One of the great things about writing family history blog posts is being contacted by distant relatives from all over the world. Last summer I received an e-mail from Friedemann, a distant Rueck relative who lives in Germany. We shared family information and discovered that we both had knowledge of the following story that occurred in Germany during World War II.

My dad’s grandparents, Jacob and Christine (Rueck) Miller were German immigrants. Christine Rueck immigrated about 1880 with her immediate family—her daughter, parents, siblings and her male cousin.

The Ruecks were from the Crailsheim and Appensee area of Württemberg, and according to Friedemann, one of the main reasons they left Germany was the lack of farm land on which to raise their large family. Our branch of the family immigrated but many Rueck relatives remained in Germany. All through the years Christine and her family in America kept in contact with their Rueck relatives across the ocean.

Jacob Miller passed away in 1918 and after that his widow Christine lived with my dad’s family for a while. She was still living when my dad went off to Germany to fight in the war.

PFC Herb Miller, "The Railsplitters."

PFC Herb Miller, 84th Division, 333rd Co. Infantry; “The Railsplitters.”

My dad said that his grandmother Christine told him he should visit some of his Rueck relatives while he was in Germany. She specifically mentioned her first cousin, Babette “Barbara” (Rueck) Leiberich, who was also my dad’s great-aunt and Friedemann’s great-grandmother.

At some point when my dad was in Germany during the war he took a train to Barbara’s home, introduced himself, and stayed there overnight. During the visit he also met some Rueck cousins. I am not sure when or how he managed this visit.

I mentioned this story to Friedemann in one of my e-mails and asked him if he had ever heard anything about this incident. He said that he had heard the very same story from his mother!

His mother told him that one night after the war an unknown American soldier knocked on Barbara Leibrich’s door. The soldier went on to explain that he was a Rueck descendant and that his grandmother was Christine Rueck, who had immigrated to America decades before. That young American soldier was my dad.

Friedemann believes that Barbara was probably at the home of relatives in Appensee at that time because Barbara’s house in Crailsheim had been completely destroyed during the war. Barbara may have written Christine about her house and told Christine where she was living after it was destroyed.

Back then, none of the Ruecks in Germany spoke any English and Friedemann supposes that his mother was the translator. She would have been about 15 years old at the time and was a good English student.

Herb Miller (2)

Herb Miller

Friedemann said that one April during the war the Americans reached the old and beautiful city of Crailsheim and conquered it without resistance. But several days later fanatic Nazi troops came and took the town back. He said many American soldiers died during the fighting and the center of the city was completely destroyed. That was probably when Barbara’s home and all her possessions, including family papers, were destroyed.

It is a tragedy to think that relatives may have fought other relatives during the war. Friedemann mentioned that several Rueck family members, including his uncle, died during the war.

While e-mailing Friedemann I discovered that we also have another connection. My cousin and her mother [my aunt—my dad’s sister] visited Friedemann and his family in 1970. What a small world!

We owe all of our veterans a big Thank You for their service to our country. Remember to thank a veteran this coming Veterans Day and remember those veterans who are no longer with us.

Nov 05

Tombstone Tuesday–Georg & Maria Grund

Georg & Maria Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

Georg & Maria Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Georg and Maria Grund, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

GRUND

Maria
Ehefr. bon
G. Grund
Gest. Den
9 Marz 1913
Alter 59Y, 3M, 26T

Georg
Grund
Geb. Den
12 Dez. 1844
Gest. Den
5 Apr 1926

Translation: Maria, wife of G. Grund, died 9 March 1913, age 59 years, 3 months, 26 days. Georg Grund, born the 12 December 1844, died the 5 April 1926. Scripture, written in German, is also carved below each name.

Maria Grund’s date of birth was 11 November 1853, as calculated from the tombstone. This agrees with the information in Zion Schumm’s records: Mrs. Maria Grund, daughter of Mr. Johann Rettig and wife Freidericke, was born 11 November 1853 in Marion, Ohio. She died 9 March 1913, at the age of 59 years, 3 months, and 28 days. [There is an age discrepancy of two days between her tombstone and the other records.] She was buried on 11 March in Zion’s Cemetery. Survivors included three daughters, her husband, one brother, one sister, three half-siblings, and five grandchildren. Maria’s death certificate indicates that she died in Willshire Township, Van Wert County and that her mother’s name was Fridrica Goodhil. [1]

Zion Schumm’s records indicate that Georg Grund was born to Johann Heinrich (1809-1875) and Eva Maria (Brenner) Grund (1805-1880). Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria had four other children.

Georg Grund died at the age of 81 years, 3 months, and 24 days, as calculated from the tombstone. According to Georg’s obituary and Zion Schumm’s records, Georg immigrated to America with his parents in 1852. There is no record of Georg’s death or burial in Zion Schumm’s records, although it appears he is buried in the church cemetery. Georg’s death certificate indicates he died in Willshire Township, Van Wert County. [2]

According to the records of Zion Schumm and Van Wert County marriages [3], Georg Grund married Maria A. Rettig on 27 March 1874 at the church. Zion Schumm’s records indicate they had the following children:

Anna Katharina Rosina Sophia “Sophie” (b. 14 September 1876; m. Louis Nofer)
Margaretha Magdalene Martha “Martha” (b. 14 November 1879; m. Carl Nofer)
Johanna Katharina Christina “Christine” (b. 13 March 1882; m. Christian Klein)

Obituaries:

Mrs. Maria Grund Also Goes to Her Reward
Maria Grund, daughter of John Rettig and wife was born at Marion, Ohio, November 11, 1853, and died at her home in Willshire township, March 9, 1913, aged 59 years, three months and 28 days.

In her early days she moved here with her parents. She was instructed and confirmed in the German Lutheran church and has been a consistent and faithful member all her life.

In 1783 [sic] she was united in marriage to Geo. J. Grund. To this union three children was [sic] born. Mrs. Louie Nofer, Mrs. Chas. Nofer and Mrs. C.L. Klein.

She leaves to mourn her departure, a husband, three daughters, one brother, one sister, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral services were conducted from the German Lutheran church at Schumm, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Meyer. [4]

Willshire Township Deaths
George Grund, a resident of Willshire township for more than 70 years, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Nofer, Monday, April 5, 1926. He was aged 81 years, three months and 23 days. He was a victim of pneumonia. He was born in Germany, and at the age of 8 years came to this country with his parents.

He made his home after arriving at a man’s estate on a farm one and on-half mile north of Schumm, which he owned at the time of his death. Mrs. Grund preceded him in death a number of years ago, the only survivors being the three daughters, Mrs. Charles Nofer, Mrs. Louis Nofer and Mrs. Chris Kline, all residents of Willshire township.

Funeral services were held from the Charles Nofer home and from the Schumm Lutheran church Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Jr. Bienert.  S.S. Buchanan & Son were the undertakers in charge. [5]

 

[1] “Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9.1.1/F6CF-L5H : accessed 3 Nov 2013), Mary Grund, 9 Mar 1913.

[2] “Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F6CF-P9W : accessed 4 Nov 2013), John George Grund, 5 Apr 1926.

[3] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XD24-RVD : accessed 3 November 2013), John George Grund and Mary A. Rettig, 26 Mar 1874; citing Van Wert, Ohio, United States, Vol 4:221, reference 221; FHL microfilm 1015860.

[4] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 13 March 1913 p. 2.

[5] The Willshire Herald, Willshire Ohio, 8 April 1926, p. 1.