Anna Lotter, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)
This is the tombstone of Anna Lotter located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:
Hier ruhet
Anna Lotter
Gest. 26 Mar
1890
Alter 82 Jahr
7 Mo. U. 5 T
“Here rests Anna Lotter, died 26 March 1890, age 82 years, 7 months, and 5 days.”
According to Zion Chatt’s records Anna Margaretha Lotter was born 21 May 1807 in Zweifelsheim, Bavaria.
In addition to Anna Lotter, Johann “John” Lotter, Peter Lotter, Katharina Lotter, Simon Lotter, and some Lotter children [Anna’s grandchildren], are mentioned in Zion Chatt’s records. Otherwise I am not very familiar with this family. [1]
John “Peter” Lotter was the son of Anna and was married to Katharina/Catharine Eichler. He usually went by the name of John Peter or Peter.
In 1880 73-year old widowed Anna was living with her son John, his wife Catharina (Kniesel), and her grandson John Christopher Michael in Wapakoneta. Their household in 1880: John, 39; Catharina, 36; Christoff, 8 months, and Anna, 73. John was born in Bavaria, Catharine in Württemberg, Christoff in Ohio, and Anna in Bavaria. [2] Anna is listed as John’s mother here and is identified as John Peter’s mother in Zion Chatt’s records, showing that John and John Peter Lotter were brothers.
The Lotter surname first shows up in Zion Chatt’s communion records, where Johann Lotter was recorded as taking communion on Pentecost in 1875.
Anna Lotter is specifically recorded as Peter’s mother in at least one of the communion records, on Pentecost 1885.
On 13 November 1881, Peter Lotter, his wife, and his mother took communion.
Anna Lotter communed in September 1882, her name recorded as Margaretha. Anna, Peter, and his wife Katharina were listed as members of Zion Chatt.
Peter, Katharina, and Peter’s mother Anna communed on 1 July 1883.
Anna communed on Good Friday 1887, but not Peter, Johann or Katharina.
On 22 February 1890 Mrs. Anna Maria Lotter received Holy Communion at the home of her son Peter Lotter in Adams County, Indiana. Zion’s minister was Rev. Chr. Reichert.
Anna Lotter was probably ill when the pastor visited her and gave her communion at her son’s home. Anna passed away just over a month later. She died of old age on 26 Mar 1890, at the age of 82 years, 7 months, and 5 days, according to her tombstone. The church records indicate she was 82 years, 10 months, and 5 days. She was buried on the 27th with Rev. Chr. Reichert in charge of the service.
Anna Lotter, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)
The two conflicting ages make three month difference when calculating her date of birth.
[1] Documented Lotter information, submitted to Ancestry.com by T Parkison, indicates that Anna was the daughter of Johann Leonard and Anna Margaretha (Buttner) Amm. This same information indicates that she was married to Johann “Michael” Lotter, who died on the ship to America in July 1874.
[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Wapakoneta, Auglaize, Ohio, ED 3, p.369A, line 46, John Latter; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 Jan 2017); NARA microfilm T9, roll 993.
