Jul 04

Happy July 4th!

 

This is Boston’s Old State House, the oldest surviving public building in that city, where The Declaration of Independence was read from its balcony on 18 July 1776.

Boston’s Old State House.

Below is The American’s Creed, which we recite at our DAR meetings. The American’s Creed was the winning submission in a 1917 national writing contest for a creed of the United States. William Tyler Page used phrases from the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in his entry. The American’s Creed was adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1918.

The American’s Creed
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support it Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.        —-William Tyler Page

A couple other patriotic quotes:

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” –Benjamin Franklin

“And I’m proud to an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” –Lee Greenwood

Today, as we celebrate the Fourth by flying American flags, watching parades and fireworks, and attending family picnics, remember our patriot forefathers who gave us these freedoms, as well as our veterans and active military.  

I wish everyone a happy and safe Independence Day.

God Bless America!

Jul 02

Tombstone Tuesday–Karl F. Schumm

Karl F Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio, d.1893. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Karl F. Schumm, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier Ruhet
Karl F.
Sohn von
H. und [R.]
Schumm
Gest. Den 23
Juni 1893
Alter
3 J, 5M, 8T

Here rests Karl F, son of H and [R] Schumm, died 23 June 1893, age 3 years, 5 months, 8 days.

“Karl” Friedrich Schumm was born at home in Willshire Township on 15 January 1890, the 10th child born to Henry and Anna “Rosine” (Schinnerer) Schumm. Carl’s father was known as “River Henry” because he lived near the St. Marys River and to distinguish him from the other Henry Schumms in the area. Carl’s mother Rosine was the daughter of Friedrich Schinnerer and his first wife Mary Deier.

Karl’s mother Rosine (Schinnerer) Schumm died the same day Karl was born. Zion Schumm’s records indicate that she died of a heart attack at 7:00 in the evening, at the age of 35. I wonder if she actually had a heart attack or if she died from complications of giving birth earlier in the day. Rosine is buried in row 5 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.  

The next day, 16 January 1890, Karl Schumm was baptized at home. Friedrich Schinnerer (the second) and Martin Schinnerer (the second) served as his sponsors.

River Henry Schumm, left to raise his 10 children, including the newborn infant Karl, married a year later. River Henry married Anna Magdalena “Lena” Geisler on 27 January 1891. Karl and his siblings had a step-mother.

Karl Schumm died 23 June 1893 at the age 3 years, 5 months, and 8 days. Zion Schumm’s records indicate that he died in a fall. Van Wert Death Records indicate that he died of a broken neck, [1] likely a result of the fall. Karl was buried on the 25th.

River Henry and Rosine (Schinnerer) Schumm had ten children:
John Martin (1873-1954), married Elizabeth Boroff
Clara Rosina (1875-1936), married Ernest Dietrich
Magdalena Wilhelmina “Minnie” (1877-1958), married Martin Hofmann
Hannah Barbara (1878-1937), married George Merkle
Edward Ludwig (1880-1885)
Gustavus Jacob (1881-1951), married Dorathea Bienz
William Jacob (1883-1967), married Maria Sauer
Sarah Mathilda “Tillie” (1886-1971), married Ernest Theodore Merkle
Joseph Heinrich (1888-1957), married Edith May (Smear) Wise
Karl Friedrich (1890-1893)

River Henry and “Lena” (Geisler) Schumm had 3 children:
Louis Fredrick (1892-1974), married Cora Eva Roop
Herman Andrew (1893-1984), married Anna Goellner
Theodore Gottlieb (1898-1967), married Leona Stetler

 

[1] “Ohio, Couty Death Records, 1840-2001,” Willshire, Willshire Township, Van Wert, Vol. 2:191, no.7, Carl F Schumm, 23 Jun 1893; database with images, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6722-8J?i=532&cc=2128172 : viewed 1 Jul 2019).

Jun 28

The Veil

Last week I posted a photo from my Aunt Esther’s wedding reception, which was held in their family barn east of Willshire.  

Below are more wedding photos of the Schumm sisters, the three daughters of Cornelius L. and Hilda (Scaer) Schumm, my mom and her two sisters Esther and Amy.

Florence (Schumm) & Herbert Miller, 3 December 1950.

Esther (Schumm) & Al Krueckeberg, 10 June 1951.

Amy (Schumm) & Herman Boenker, 4 July 1953.

In addition to the fact that they are wedding photos, do you notice something else the photos all have in common?

It is the veil. All three sisters wore the same veil!

Wedding veil worn by Schumm sisters, 1950-1953.

My mom and dad were married first, on 3 December 1950, the weekend after the big Thanksgiving blizzard. They planned to marry on that Thanksgiving weekend but had to postpone the event for a week due to the blizzard.

Dress & veil worn by Florence (Schumm) Miller, 1950. The beading on the veil and dress match quite nicely.

My mom’s sister Esther married the next year, in June 1951, and their sister Amy was married in July 1953.

My mom purchased the veil for her wedding and her sisters borrowed it for their weddings.

What a nice idea! I never knew about this until my aunt Esther mentioned it a few years ago.

Florence (Schumm) Miller, December 1950, wearing the veil that would later be worn by her sisters.

It is a very pretty veil, which my mom saved all those years. Had I known about this family tradition I may have worn the veil at our wedding. It is actually fancier than my veil was. A missed opportunity… Sigh.

Closeup view of veil worn by Schumm sisters.

My mom also saved her satin wedding dress as well as their wedding cake topper.

Wedding dress, veil, and cake topper from Florence (Schumm) Miller’s wedding, December 1950.

She saved a lot of things and I will share some more of those wedding items soon.

Jun 25

Tombstone Tuesday–Leonard & Katharine (Rettig) Stegmeier

Leonard & Katharine Stegmeier, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Leonard and Katharine (Rettig) Stegmeier, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

STEGMEIER
Leonard
1856-1940

Katherine
1860-1927

According to the records of Zion Lutheran, Schumm, Leonard G. Stegmeier was born in Steinbach, Wuerttemberg, on 13 May 1856. He immigrated in 1879, according to 1900 census, but I do not know where he was living in 1880. His death certificate indicates his mother was Mary Bauman, but does not give his father’s name.

Leonard Stegmeier married Katharine Rettig on 13 Sep 1883 at her parents’ home in Van Wert County. Both Leonard and Katharine were from Zion Schumm’s parish and were married by Zion’s Rev. Seemeyer. Their marriage is also recorded in Van Wert County. [1]

Leah “Katherine” Rettig was born in Willshire Township on 4 May 1860, according to the records of Zion Schumm and according to her death certificate. She was the daughter of Johann and Friedericke (Gutheil) Rettig. Her mother was born in Germany and her father probably was, too. The Rettig family resided in Willshire Township by July 1860. [2] The father, John Rettig, was not enumerated in the household with the family in 1860 and he probably died sometime between September 1859 and July 1860. According to the 1860 Mortality Schedule, one John Rechick, age 42, married, farmer, died of erysipelas in Willshire Township in March 1860. This could very well be Katharine’s father. The dates between Katherine’s conception, her father’s death, and her mother’s second marriage match. John Rettig was likely buried in Zion Schumm’s cemetery, but apparently his tombstone did not survive.

The Rettig household in 1860: Friedericke, 34 [female]; Charles, 8; Mary A, 6; John, 3; Friedrick, 1; and Katharine, 2 months. [3]

With five young children under the age of 9 to raise, Katherine’s widowed mother Friedericke married widower Andreas Roehm at Zion Schumm on 8 November 1860. Andreas Roehm’s first wife Katharine Bienz had died in 1858, leaving behind several children for Andreas to raise. Andreas Roehm and his second wife Friedericke (Gutheil) Rettig Roehm had several children of their own. [4]

By 1870 the Roehm and Rettig households were combined: Andreas Roehm, 56; Friedericke [Gutheil Rettig] Roehm, 43; Jacob Roehm, 23; Henry Roehm, 19; Emmanuel Roehm, 16; Anna Roehm, 13; Charles Rettig, 18; Mary Rettig, 16; John Rettig, 13; Fredrick Rettig, 11; and Katharine Rettig, 10. [5]  

The Andrew Roehm family in 1880: Andrew, 66; Friedericka, 56; Katherine, 18 [step-daughter, shown as Katherine Roehm, actually was Katharine Rettig]; George Roehm, 17, son; Magdalena Roehm, 15, daughter; Susanah Roehm, daughter, 14; and Rosanah Roehm, daughter, 11. [6]

Katherine Rettig married Leonard Stegmeier in 1883.

The Leonard Stegmeier family in 1900, living near Willshire: Leonard, 43; Katharine, 40; Charles G, 16; Anton G, 14; and Nettie, 2. The father Leonard was a farmer, born in Germany, who immigrated in 1879. Everyone else in the household was born in Ohio. Katharine had given birth to 4 children and 3 were living. [7] 

In 1910 the Leonard Stegmeier family resided in Willshire Township, where Leonard farmed: Leonard, 55; Katharine, 49; Carl, 26; Anthony, 23; and Nettie, 12. This enumeration indicates that Leonard immigrated in 1870. [8]

Katherine’s mother Friedericke (Gutheil) Rettig Roehm died 9 September 1910, at the age of 83 years.

The Leonard Stegmeier family in 1920: Leonard, 64; Katharine, 59; Charles, 34; and Nettie 22. Karl worked on the farm and his sister was a servant for a family. This enumeration shows that the father Leonhard immigrated in 1881. [9]

Katherine (Rettig) Stegmeier died of a heart condition (mitral regurgitation) in Willshire Township on 16 November 1927, at the age of 67 years, 6 months, and 12 days. Her death certificate does not give her father’s given name but gives her mother’s name as Friedericka Gutheil. [10] Kathrine was buried on the 19th.

In 1930, widower Leonard Stegmeier lived with his son Carl in Willshire Township. This enumeration indicates Lenhard immigrated in 1886, which is incorrect, since he married in Van Wert County in 1883. [11]

In 1940, 83 year-old widower Leonard Stegmeier lived with his son 56 year-old single son Carl in Willshire Township. [12]

Leonard G. Stegmeier died of apoplexy at Convoy, Ohio, on 16 December 1940 at the age of 84 years, 7 months, and 3 days. He was buried on the 18th. [13]  

Leonard and Katharine (Rettig) Stegmeier had the following children:
Karl George (1884-1954), never married
George Adam Anton “Anthony” (1886-1929), married Anna Giessler
Friedrich Johann (1890-1892)
“Antoinette”/”Nettie” Elisabeth Martha (1897-1983), married James A. Bell

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” Van Wert County, Vol.6:269, Leonharolt Steigmeier & Katharine Rettig, 13 Sep 1883; digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-65X8-L9?i=174&cc=1614804 : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

[2] Zion Schumm’s records indicate that Katherine Rettig’s sister Maria Rettig (who married George Grund) was born in Marion, Ohio, on 11 November 1853. Their records also indicate that Maria was the daughter of Johann and Friedericke Rettig. Thus, the family moved from the Marion to Van Wert County before 1860.

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.423, dwelling 1045, family 1039, Frederic Redich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1860usfedcenancestry/ : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

[4] The children of Andreas and Friedericke (Gutheil) Rettig Roehm who were mentioned in Zion’s records: George Adam Roehm, b.1862; Elisabeth Magdalene Roehm, b. 1864; Susanna Catharine Roehm, b.1866; and Rosina Isabella Roehm, b.1869.    

[5] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.439 A, dwelling, 132, family 133, Andrew Roehm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com  (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1870usfedcen/ : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

[6] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p.449B, family 120, Andrew Roehm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1880usfedcen/ : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

[7] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.12 [penned], p.311A [stamped], dwelling 224, family 229, L Stegmeyer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com;  (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1900usfedcen/ : viewed 7 May 2019)

[8] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert Ohio, Ed 113, p.6A, dwelling 61, family 62, Leonard Stegmeier; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1910uscenindex/ : viewed 10 Jun 2019).

[9] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 145, p.3A [penned], p.272 [stamped], dwelling & family 52, Leonard Stegmeier; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1920usfedcen/ : viewed 7 May 2019).   

[10] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Willshire, Van Wert County, Catherine Stegmeier, 16 Nov 1927; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPK4-9RXF?i=857&cc=1307272 : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

[11] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.7B, dwelling 162, family 165, Lenhard Stegmeier; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com  (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1930usfedcen/ : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

[12] 1940 U.S. Census Willshire, Van Wert Ohio, ED 81-28, p.6A, household 110, Leonard Stegemeyer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1940usfedcen/ : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

[13] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1853,” Convoy, Van Wert, Leonard Stegmeier, 16 Dec 1940; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-G574-9MTV?i=1885&cc=1307272 : viewed 24 Jun 2019).

Jun 21

A June Wedding

June is traditionally a popular month for weddings and my aunt and uncle, Esther and Al Krueckeberg, celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary a couple weeks ago. They married in June of 1951.

My mom and dad had married the year before and were both members of the Krueckeberg-Schumm wedding party. I have a formal photo of the Krueckeberg-Schumm wedding but the photo I find most interesting is this snapshot taken at their wedding reception.

Krueckeberg-Schumm wedding, June 1951. Herb Miller, Al Krueckeberg, Esther (Schumm), Florence (Schumm) Miller, Phyllis (Gunsett) Dietrich, Amy (Schumm) Boenker.

The Krueckeberg-Schumm wedding reception was held in my Grandpa Schumm’s barn, which was located just west of the home where my mom and her sisters grew up a couple miles east of Willshire. It was quite a barn in its day but was damaged during a windstorm in 2012 and was torn down several months after that.

The barn was built in 1886 and looked like this in the early 1900s:

Schumm barn, early 1900s.

I believe my aunt Amy said her wedding reception was held in the barn, too. I never really thought about it, but apparently a barn was a popular place for a wedding reception back then. Why not? There would have been plenty of room for dining and dancing and celebrating.

The C.L. Schumm barn looked like this in 1947, a few years before the Krueckeberg-Schumm wedding:

CL Schumm barn, 1947.

Barns are popular reception venues today, but years ago the barns were working buildings, complete with livestock, grain, and farm equipment. Reception barns today are primarily just for receptions and parties.   

When I look at the photo of my aunt Esther’s wedding party, sitting there at a table in the barn, I can’t help but wonder how much work the family did to clean up the barn and get it ready for the wedding reception. It took lot of work, I am sure!

I doubt that my parents used the family barn for their wedding reception. Instead I think they used the church basement. Esther and Al were married in June and the weather would have been nice and warm. My parents were married in December 1950, just a week after the big Thanksgiving blizzard. It was probably too cold to hold a reception in the barn in the winter.

The C.L. Schumm barn looked like this in about 1990:

CL Schumm barn, c1990.

A couple photos taken inside the barn in 2012, just before it was taken down. You can see where all those old windows were:

Schumm barn, 2012.

Schumm barn, 2012.

What memories that old barn held!

Happy Wedding Anniversary, Esther and Al!