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.

Jan 31

Rose and Emma Rüeck

The past few weeks have been bitterly cold, very windy, and snowy here in Ohio. Weather alerts on my phone inform me that it is a poor time for outdoor fitness. So I have stayed indoors as much as possible, spending my time going through and sorting old photos.

Rose & Emma Rueck, Oregon, c. 1899.

Rose & Emma Rueck, Oregon, c. 1899.

This photo caught my eye and I decided to take some time to research and learn more about the two pretty girls. The photo is from a group of digitized photos my dad had placed in a folder labeled “from Clara.”

Clara was Clara (Miller) Reef, my great aunt, the daughter of immigrant Christena (Rüeck) Miller. I recognized quite a few photos of Rüecks in the group.

These two girls are Rose and Emma Rüeck, daughters of George Rüeck (1858-1944). George, the son of Johann Georg Rüeck (1820-1905), was a brother of the four Rüeck sisters featured in last week’s blog post. George and his brother Jacob immigrated to America about 1882 and eventually moved to Oregon. Their uncle Jacob Rüeck Sr. and his family had already immigrated and most of them were living in Oregon by the late 1880s. Jacob Rüeck Sr. (1828-1918) was my great-great-grandfather and Christena’s father.

George Rüeck married Ida “Emma” Schewrel in 1883, according to family history. I have not found a marriage record for them, so perhaps they married in Germany and immigrated together.

George and Emma lived in Indiana for a while or they were there long enough for the birth of their daughter Rose on 22 March 1884. They moved to Oregon within two years and their second daughter Emma was born there on 22 May 1886.

I believe the photo below is Rose and Emma, but it was not labeled. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know.

Rose & Emma Rueck.

Rose & Emma Rueck. [?]

The George Rüeck family was living in Portland, Oregon, by 1889-1890, where his wife Emma was a midwife and George worked as a watchman for the Northern Pacific Rail Road. [1] Wife and mother Emma passed away sometime between 1893-1894, leaving George to raise their two young daughters.

The two girls went to live with relatives in the country after their mother died. In 1900 Rose and Emma were living with their great-uncle Jacob Rüeck Sr. and some of his children. Their uncle Jacob Rüeck also lived a few houses away. [2] He would eventually marry Jacob Sr.’s daughter Regina.

Jacob Rueck farm in Oregon.

Jacob Rueck farm in Oregon.

By 1910 and through 1920 Rose and Emma lived with their father in Portland. George was still employed by the railroad and daughter Emma was a dressmaker for a private family. Rose was not employed. [3] [4]   

Rose married William Henry Lohkamp sometime between 1921 and 1930. In 1930 they were living in Portland with Rose’s father George and George’s two nieces, Margaret and Christine Rüeck, daughters of Jacob and Regina (Rüeck) Rüeck. William Lohkamp was a carpenter who built homes [5] and was the postmaster of Wecoma Beach, Lincoln, Oregon, from 1935-1950. [6] William died in Lincoln, Oregon, on 7 April 1950 [7] and Rose died there on 8 June 1959. [8]

Emma married Roy Bugh in 1929. In 1940 they were living in Portland, where Roy worked in a grocery store [9] and later as postmaster of Wecoma Beach, from 1950-1957. [6] Emma visited some Rüeck relatives in Germany at least once during her lifetime. She and her German first cousin Emma (Frank) Knodler were the same age. Roy died in Washington, Oregon, on 28 April 1965 [10] and Emma died on 6 December 1973 in Multnomah, Oregon. [11]

Emma (Frank) Knodler with first cousin Emma (Rueck) Bugh, Germany, 1972.

Emma (Frank) Knodler with first cousin Emma (Rueck) Bugh, Germany, 1972.

Georg Rüeck lived with his daughter Rose and her husband William from at least 1930-1940, [12] [13] and he most likely lived with them until his death in 1944. [14]

It appears that neither Rose nor Emma had any children. George, Rose, Emma, William, and Roy ware all laid to rest in a mausoleum at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon.

 

[1] Portland, Oregon, City Directory, 1890, p. 446; Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 January 2014), U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line].

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MSDC-V78 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Rosa Rueck in household of Jacob Rueck Sr., Barlow, Pleasant Hill, Tualatin, and Union Precincts, Clackamas, Oregon, United States; citing sheet , family 56, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241345.

[3] 1910 U.S. Census, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MLYJ-L2Q : accessed 29 Jan 2014), George Rueck, Portland Ward 4, Multnomah, Oregon, United States; citing sheet , family 91, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375299.

[4] 1920 U.S. Census, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4ZL-L3D : accessed 30 Jan 2014), George Rueck, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, United States; citing sheet , family 216, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821499.

[5] 1930 U.S. Census, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XCS4-1RZ : accessed 30 Jan 2014), William Lohkamp in household of George Rueck, Portland (Districts 271-553), Multnomah, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0494, sheet , family 104, NARA microfilm publication .

[6] “Record of Appointment of Postmasters, Lincoln, Oregon, 1832-30 September 1971,” Ancestry.om (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 January 2014), National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept. 30, 1971; Roll #: 106; Archive Publication #: M841.

[7] “Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VZHJ-4H9 : accessed 30 Jan 2014), William H Lohkamp, 1950.

[8] “Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VZ4Q-ZJQ : accessed 30 Jan 2014), Rose K Lohkamp, 1959.

[9] 1940 U.S. Census, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VRTY-7M1 : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Roy Beugh, Tract 23, Portland, Portland City Election Precinct 282, Multnomah, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 37-377, sheet 7A, family 251, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 3391.

[10] “Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VZHC-116 : accessed 30 Jan 2014), Roy Bugh, 1965.

[11] “Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VZW4-G36 : accessed 30 Jan 2014), Emma Ida Bugh, 1973.

[12] 1930 U.S. Census, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XCS4-1RZ : accessed 30 Jan 2014), William Lohkamp in household of George Rueck, Portland (Districts 271-553), Multnomah, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0494, sheet , family 104, NARA microfilm publication .

[13] 1940 U.S. Census, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VRTS-SHF : accessed 29 Jan 2014), Rose Lo-Kamp in household of William H Lo-Kamp, Oceanlake, Oceanlake Election Precinct, Lincoln, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 21-22, sheet 8A, family 192, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 3370.

[14] “Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VZCH-946 : accessed 30 Jan 2014), George Rueck, 1944.

Jan 28

Tombstone Tuesday–Maria (Schumm) Schinnerer

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

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

This is the tombstone of Maria Schinnerer, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier ruhet in Gott
Maria
Ehefrau des
Martin Schinnerer
geboren
Den 23 December 1842
gestorben
Den 2 September 1870

Translation: Here rests in God, Maria, wife of Martin Schinnerer, born the 23 December 1842, died the 2 September 1870.

Maria Schinnerer was born Maria Schumm, the second child of Ludwig and Barbara (Pflüger) Schumm. Her birth predates the Schumm church records, which begin in 1846. However, both her marriage and her death are recorded in the church records.

Maria married Martin Schinnerer on 23 February 1860. According to the church records “Anna Maria” Schinnerer died 1 September 1870 at the age of 27 years, 8 months, and 4 days. She was buried on the 2nd. This date disagrees with the death date on her tombstone by one day.

Martin and Maria (Schumm) Schinnerer had the following children, per Zion Schumm’s records:

Georg Friedrich (1861-1935) married Wilhelmine “Minnie” Roehm
Adam Wilhelm (1862-1862)
Heinrich Adam (1863-1913) married Minnie Richter
Johann Jacob Friedrich [Rev] (1865-1950) married Anna Evers
Susanna “Barbara” (1866-1952) married George M. Schumm [son of Jacob Frederick]
Johann Ludwig (1870-1870)

It appears that Maria (Schumm) Schinnerer may have died as a result of complications of childbirth. She died a day or two after the death of her last child, who was only 14 days old. A tombstone does not appear to exist for that child, Johann Ludwig, who died 31 August 1870.

Maria’s husband Martin Schinnerer was born in Bavaria in 1834 and came to America in 1852. He was the brother of my great-great-grandfather Friederick Schinnerer. After Maria’s death Martin married her sister Rosina. They were married in a civil ceremony by Thomas Cully, JP, on 2 March 1871. [1] According to one source, Martin’s second marriage was not allowed at the church so they were married by a Justice of the Peace. [2] Their marriage was not recorded in the Zion Schumm’s records. Martin and Rosina moved to California around the turn of the century and remained there the rest of their lives. Martin died in Los Angeles in 1930 at the age of 96.

The inscription on Maria’s tombstone is a little unusual because it shows her birth and death dates, instead of only showing her death date and age. You usually have to calculate the date of birth from a tombstone inscription of this era. According to her tombstone inscription her age would have been 27 years, 8 months, and 10 days, which is six days off from the church record. Perhaps math wasn’t the minister’s best subject or the tombstone was carved incorrectly.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9.1.1/XD24-GG4 : accessed 26 Jan 2014), Martin Schenerer and Rosana Schumm, 2 March 1871; citing Van Wert, Ohio, United States, reference 568; FHL microfilm 1015860.

[2] Conversation with Mildred (Schumm) Franz (Mrs. Christian Franz; Decatur, Indiana, 46733), by Karen Miller Bennett, May 1999. Mrs. Franz is now deceased.

Jan 24

Four Rüeck Sisters

4 schwestern geboren Rüeck. That was written on the back of the old photo. 4 sisters born Rüeck.

The photo was taken sometime before 1942, the year that Rosine died. Rosine was the oldest of eight children in the family of four sons and four daughters. The photo was taken in Germany, most likely taken in Appensee or Crailsheim, in Württemberg. As far as I know the four Rüeck sisters never left Germany, although some of their family immigrated to America in the late 1800s.

Left to right, front: Barbara, Rosine; back: Margarete, Regina.

Left to right, front: Barbara, Rosine; back: Margarete, Regina.

This Rüeck photo was among some photos my Aunt Em had. Fortunately someone wrote the names of the four sisters on the back of the photo.

Last year my distant German cousin Friedemann Mayer contacted me and shared information about some of our Rüeck ancestors. Friedemann is a teacher in Crailsheim and even has some distant Rüeck relatives as his pupils.

The sisters in the photo, identified left to right as you look at the photo:

Barbara (Rüeck) Leiberich, seated at left
Rosine (Rüeck) Hoffman, seated at right
Margarete (Rüeck) Frank, standing at left
Regina (Rüeck) Gross, standing at right

Barbara (Rüeck) Leiberich (1867-1956), seated on the left, was Friedemann’s great-grandmother. Barbara was the relative my dad visited in Germany immediately after WWII, encouraged to do so by his grandmother Christene. Unfortunately, Barbara’s home in Crailsheim was completely destroyed during WWII.

Barbara (Rüeck) Leibrich

Barbara (Rüeck) Leibrich (1867-1956)

Rosine (Rüeck) Hoffman (1856-1942), seated on the right, married Jacob Hoffman, a farmer in Appensee. According to Friedemann their farm house still stands. Rosine, died in 1942, at the age of 86. She was the oldest of the eight children born to Johann Georg and Marie Margarette (Gross) Rüeck.

Rosine (Rüeck) Hoffman (1856-1942)

Rosine (Rüeck) Hoffman (1856-1942)

Margarete (Rüeck) Frank (1860-1944), standing on the left. She married Friedrich Frank and they had the “Schimmelhof” in Appensee, which they later sold. Friedemann explained that the old farm houses in Germany had house names. He said “Schimmel” means white horse and “hof” is a farm.

Margarete (Rüeck) Frank (1860-1944)

Margarete (Rüeck) Frank (1860-1944)

Regina (Rüeck) Gross (1866-1948), standing on the right, married Johannes Gross, a farmer in Zollhof. Zollhof is a small village near Appensee and, according to Friedemann, their farm still remains in the family.

Regina (Rüeck) Gross (1866-1948)

Regina (Rüeck) Gross (1866-1948)

The father of the four sisters was Johann Georg Rüeck (1820-1905), the older brother of my great-great-grandfather Jacob Rüeck (1828-1918). Jacob was the father of my great-grandmother Christena (1858-1945), who married Jacob Miller in 1882. Jacob and Christena were the parents of my grandfather Carl Miller.

Jacob Rüeck and his family immigrated to America in about 1880. His nephews [and brothers of the four sisters]  Johann “Georg” Rüeck (1858-1944) and Jacob Rüeck (1869-1941), immigrated to America as well. Most of the Rüecks in America eventually moved out west, but my great-grandmother Christena remained in Ohio.

Rosine and my great-grandmother Christena Rüeck were about the same age and they grew up together in Württemberg. The cousins stayed in touch through the years by writing and sending letters across the ocean.

Christena (Rüeck) Miller and the four Rüeck sisters were first cousins. Since I am three generations removed from my great-grandmother Christena, the four Rüeck sisters are my first cousins three times removed. Our common ancestors are Georg Rüeck (1787-1870) and his wife Rosina Barbara Lober (1795-1866), who were their grandparents as well as my third great-grandparents.

I noticed that Friedemann spells the surname as Rüeck, so I spelled it that way in this post. The American spelling of Rüeck would be Rueeck. [ü = ue in English] I am not sure how they actually pronounce the name in Germany, but in our family I have always heard the name pronounced Reeck [long e]. In Germany they might pronounce it as Rue-eeck’.

What a wonderful photo! It is always nice when you can visualize and identify distant family members and put a face to a name. This makes family history come to life!