Tombstone Tuesday–Barbara (Kuehm) Pfeifer

Barbara Pfeifer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Barbara Pfeifer, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Barbara Pfeifer
1870-1928

Barbara Kuehm was born in Schillersdorf, Alsace-Lorraine, on 27 February 1870, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Miller) Kuehm, sometimes spelled Kuhm. Barbara’s parents were also born in Alsace-Lorraine [1] [2] and the family immigrated about 1873. [3] The Kuehms attended church at Zion Chatt and Barbara was confirmed there on 6 April 1884. Barbara was the sixth of seven known children born to Michael and Elizabeth.

In 1880 Barbara lived with her parents and 5 siblings in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana, where her father Michael farmed. In their household: Michael and Elisabeth, both 53 years old; Michael (Jr), 19; Jacob, 17; Mary, 15; Lena, 12; Barbara, 10; and George, 8. All were born in Alsace. [4]

Barbara Kuehm married George Pfeifer on 25 May 1899, married by Lutheran pastor A.F. Klopfer. They were not married at Zion Chatt and, although they obtained their marriage license in Adams County, Indiana, their marriage record indicates they were married in Erastus, Mercer County, Ohio. George Pfeifer was 31 years of age, born in Ohio, the son of Christopher and Fredericke (Kniesel) Pfeifer. He was a farmer and resided in Knox County, Indiana, at the time of their marriage. Barbara was 30 years of age, born in Germany, and resided in Chattanooga, Ohio. Their marriage record indicates that she was the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Miller) Kuehm. Her nationality was listed as “for”, which I assume means foreign. This was the first marriage for both of them and Nicholas Pfeifer and Elizabeth Schott were witnesses to their marriage. [5] [6]

I have not been able to locate Barbara and George in the 1900 census.

Barbara’s father Michael Kuehm died in 1909 and in 1910 Barbara and two children lived with her widowed mother Elisabeth Kuehm. Their household in 1910: Elizabeth, 83, head; Barbara “Phizer”, 40 daughter; Hilda [Pfeifer], 8, granddaughter; and Carl [Pfeifer], 6, grandson. The census indicates that Barbara was married but her husband George was not enumerated with them. [7] Barbara’s mother Elizabeth (Miller) Kuehm died two years later, in 1912. Barbara’s parents Michael and Elizabeth Kuehm are also buried in Zion Chatt’s cemetery.

Barbara and George Pfeifer moved to Van Wert, Ohio, about 1915, where they lived on Cherry Street. In 1920 they lived at 412 Cherry Street and their household consisted of: George, 50; Barbara, 49; children Hilda, 17, and Carl, 16; and Barbara’s widowed sister Katharine [Kuehm] Hoehamer, 62. George Pfeifer worked at a common laborer. This record indicates that Barbara immigrated in 1873. [8]

Barbara (Kuehm) Pfeifer died of cardiovascular renal disease on 25 June 1928 in Van Wert at the age of 58 years, 2 months, and 28 days, after suffering with the illness for three years. Barbara was a housewife and had resided in Van Wert for 13 years. Her address was 414 N. Cherry Street. Her husband George was the informant for the information on her death certificate. Barbara was buried on 27th. [1] Barbara’s death information was not recorded in Zion Chatt’s records.

Barbara’s husband George Peifer died in 1945 and is buried a couple rows from Barbara.

Barbara and George had two children and they were both baptized at Zion Chatt:
Hilda Margaretha Magdalena Pfeiffer (1902-1967), married Kenneth Guinn
Karl Heinrich Michael Pfeiffer (1903-1954), probably never married and was a WWII veteran

 

[1] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Barbara E Pfeifer, 25 Jun 1928; Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio; FHL microfilm 1991301.

[2] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Barbara E. Pfeifer, 25 Jun 1928; Van Wert, Pleasant Township, Van Wert, Ohio; FHL microfilm 1952878.

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams County, Indiana, ED 4, p. 11B, dwelling 203, family 203, Michael Kuehm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com; from FHL microfilm 1240357, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 357.

[4] 1880 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams County, Indiana, ED 133, p. 6B, dwelling 50, family 50, Michael Kuhm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com; from NARA microfilm T9, roll 263.

[5] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Geo Pfeifer and Barbara Kuehm, 25 May 1899; Adams County Marriages, Vol. I, p.77; FHL microfilm 2321357.

[6] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, George J Pfeifer and Barbara Kuehm, 25 May 1899; Adams County Marriages, Vol. G, p.495; FHL microfilm 2,321,629.

[7] 1910 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams County, Indiana, ED 4, p. 2B, visited 37, family 37, Elizabeth Kuhm; Ancestry.com; from FHL microfilm 1374351, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 338. [Barbara was enumerated as Barbara Phizer.]

[8] 1920 U.S. Census, Van Wert, Van Wert County, Ohio, ED 130, p.9A, dwelling 214, visited 223, George R Pfiefer; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T625, roll 1446.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.