Mar 26

Tombstone Tuesday–Friedrich Becher

Friedrich Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Friedrich Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Friedrich Becher, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. His tombstone is located between the markers of his wife Margaretha and their son John. It is broken and unreadable.

According to Zion’s Family Register in the old church record book, Friedrich Becher was born 9 November 1797 in Schliegenreith [sp?], District Oberfranken, Kingdom of Bavaria. He was the son of Nickolaus & Gertaudt Becher. After his confirmation he stayed with his parents until he was 19 years old, at which time he entered the service/employment. [It is unclear if the record meant he entered the military service or was employed by someone.]

When Friedrich was 33 years old he married Margaretha (Schmidt) Haffner, the widow of Dietrich Haffner. Margaretha and Friedrich had a son Johann, born 20 March 1833. Margaretha had two sons from her first marriage, Conrad and George Haffner.

Friedrich and Margaretha and their children lived in Thuisbrunn for several years before immigrating to America in 1840. They lived in Butler County, Ohio, for nearly a year and then moved to Mercer County.

Friedrich died 25 January 1878 at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 16 days. His wife passed away in 1875.

As noted in last week’s Tombstone Tuesday, the Bechers lived in Black Creek Township, Mercer County. According to the 1853 Mercer County Plat Book, Black Creek Township, p. 305, Friedrich’s 65 acre farm was located in the west part of the southwest quarter of Section 31. His farm was described as excellent land valued at $605. He had 29 acres of plowed land, 7 acres of meadow and a cabin house and barn.

Mar 22

The Sewing Circle is Smaller

Quilts, Zion Chatt.

Quilts, Zion Chatt.

Zion Chatt’s sewing circle is smaller these days. Catherine (Leininger) Miller, one of Zion’s faithful sewers, passed away last week. Catherine liked to knot the comforts sewn by Zion’s Women of the Church, tying knots with heavy thread to bind the layers of fabric together.

Catherine Miller, at the age of 90, was the oldest female lifetime member of Zion Chatt. Catherine was born 30 October 1922 in Mercer County, Ohio to Theodore “Ted” and Carrie (Becher) Leininger. Catherine was baptized 7 December 1922 by Rev. Albrecht at Zion, confirmed 31 May 1936 by Rev. Carl Yahl at Zion and married 29 December 1945 at Zion. Her funeral was 16 March 2013 at Zion. And she faithfully attended services at Zion all throughout her lifetime.

L to Rt Front: Helen Miller, Lela Bollenbacher, Rev. Carl Yahl, Irene Schott, Catherine Leininger. Back: Johh Willrath, Paul Schott, Catherine Becher, Laverne Ripley, Cleo Heffner, Rosemary Byer, Waldo Stuckey, Kenneth Byer.

1936 Confirmation Class. L to Rt Front: Helen Miller, Lela Bollenbacher, Rev. Carl Yahl, Irene Schott, Catherine Leininger. Back: Johh Willrath, Paul Schott, Catherine Becher, Laverne Ripley, Cleo Heffner, Rosemary Byer, Waldo Stuckey, Kenneth Byer.

Catherine’s maternal Becher family line goes to back to the very beginning of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga. In fact, Catherine’s great-great-grandparents were sponsors for the first child baptized at Zion. Zion’s first recorded baptism was that of Johann Haeffner, born 22 October 1854 and baptized 18 November 1854 by Rev. Gackenheimer. His sponsors were Johann Becher, Friedrich and Margaretha Becher. This baptism actually occurred a couple months before Zion’s official formation in 1855.

If you follow my Tombstone Tuesday blog posts you will notice that I have recently featured members of the Becher family of Chattanooga. This past Tuesday I featured the tombstone of Margaretha (Schmidt) Becher, Catherine’s great-great-grandmother. Margaretha (Schmidt) Haffner married Friedrich Becher. Their son Johannes Becher married Anna Maria Becker. Friedrich and Anna Maria’s seventh child was Heinrich Conrad Becher who married Rosina Schlenker. Heinrich and Rosina’s daughter Carrie Becher married Ted Leininger. Ted and Carrie were Catherine’s parents.

Catherine’s maternal Becher line looks like this:
Friedrich Becher (1797-1878) & Margaretha Schmidt (1800-1875)
Johannes Becher (1833-1883) & Anna Maria Becker (1837-1917)
Heinrich Conrad (1866-1906) & Rosina Schlenker (1871-1964)
Ted Leininger (1895-1992) & Carrie Becher (1898-1988)
Glenn Miller (1923-1994) Catherine Leininger (1922-2013)

Catherine’s great-great-grandfather Friedrich Becher and great-grandfather Johannes Becher were both born in Germany and came to America about 1840. All of this wonderful family history is from Zion’s church records. Thanks to the German Lutherans for being great record-keepers.

Catherine & Dolores at Zion, 2005.

Catherine & Dolores at Zion, 2005.

We will miss seeing Catherine at church on Sunday mornings. She sat on our side of the church, about half way back. We don’t have assigned seating at Zion but everyone seems to sit in their own particular pew on Sunday mornings. As I recall, Catherine and her husband Glenn used to sit on the other side of the church before Glenn passed away in 1994. I think her parents used to sit near them back then.

I remember going to Sunday School and Bible School with Catherine’s children, Janet and Jerry. I remember the times her sister and nieces would attend Zion for a visit. Catherine often helped with Vacation Bible School in the summer. She said she enjoyed being around the children. She was also the Parkway High School secretary for 21 years.

Sewing and knotting comforts at Zion Chatt.

Sewing and knotting comforts at Zion Chatt.

Every year Zion’s Church Women sew between 50-100 comforts for Lutheran World Relief and now the sewing circle is a little smaller. And we will always remember this great lady who knotted the comforts.

 

 

 

Mar 19

Tombstone Tuesday–Margaretha Becher

Margaretha Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Margaretha Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Margaretha Becher, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. All that is readable of the broken marker is: Margaretha.

The Mercer County Chapter OGS read and transcribed the tombstones in Zion’s Cemetery in 1990. Their transcription of this stone indicates that it belongs to Margaretha Becher, who died 4 May 1875 at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 18 days. She was the wife of Friedrich Becher. [1]

According to Zion’s old Family Register Margaretha Becher was born 16 January 1800 in Thuisbrun, District Oberfranken, Kingdom of Bavaria, to Johann and Kunigunde Schmidt. She married Dietrich Haffner in Bavaria and they had three sons, Conrad, George and George. The middle son died young but Conrad (1822-1878) and Georg (1828-1898) reached maturity. Dietrich Haffner died in 1828 and Margaretha married Friederich Becher in about 1830. They had a son Johann Becher (1833-1883). Their son Johann/John and his wife Anna Maria were featured here in last week’s Tombstone Tuesday.

Margaretha and Friedrich Becher resided in Thuisbrun with their sons until they immigrated to America in 1840. They lived in Butler County, Ohio, for nearly a year before moving to Liberty Township, Mercer County. What a wealth of information, all from the Family Register!

Her death record was later in the church records: Margaretha Becher died 4 May 1875 at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 18 days.  Her funeral text was the 23rd Psalm.

In 1850 Friedrich “Bachar“ (52) was living with wife Margaretha (50) and sons George (21) and John (17) in Black Creek Township, Mercer County. The census indicates they were all born in Germany. Margaretha’s son Conrad Hefner (28) was married and living next door. [2]  

In 1860 Friedrich (62) and Margaretha (60) were still living in Black Creek Township. They were living next door to son Conrad Heffner (38) and near to son George Heffner (35). Their name was listed as “Baker“ and Friedrich was a farmer. [3]

The Bechers were still living in Black Creek Township in 1870 and were enumerated as Fredrick (72) and Margret (70) Bakeher, Fredrick was a retired farmer and both were born in Bavaria. They were living next to Coonrod and George Hafner. [4]

Margaretha’s tombstone is located next to her husband’s marker. Their son and daughter-in-law John and Anna Maria Becher are buried immediately to the north. Margaretha‘s son and daughter-in-law Conrad and Margaret Heffner are buried immediately to the south of  the Becher markers. Son and daughter-in-law George and Sophia Heffner are buried in the same row, just a little farther north.

 

[1] The Mercer County Chapter OGS, Mercer County, Ohio, Cemetery Inscriptions, Vol. VI, Blackcreek, Hopewell, Liberty Townships  (Celina, Ohio: Privately printed, 1990), 95.

[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Mercer, Ohio, Black Creek Township, p. 290B, line 34, dwelling 73, family 78, Fredk Bachar; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 March 2013); from National Archives microfilm M432, roll 710.

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Mercer, Ohio, Black Creek Township, p. 333, line 23, dwelling 629, family 634, Fredrik Baker; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 March 2013); from National Archives microfilm M653, roll 1009.

[4] 1870 U.S. Census, Mercer, Ohio, Black Creek Township, p. 298, line 21, dwelling 157, family 157, Fredrick Bakeher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 March 2013); from National Archives microfilm M593, roll 1243.

Mar 15

Rev. August Affeld, Pastor at Zion Chatt 1896-1899

Rev. August Affeld, Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, 1897.

Rev. August Affeld, Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, 1897.

I recently received an e-mail from Danielle, who was seeking information about her great-grandfather, Rev. August Affeld. He was a Lutheran minister who served at Zion Chatt from late 1896-1899. She contacted me after she saw his picture in a 1897 confirmation photo that I posted here a few weeks ago. That photo is the oldest confirmation photo I have from our church.

I was able to give Danielle a copy of the confirmation photo and some information that I had gathered about Rev. Affeld a few years ago when we celebrated Zion’s 150th anniversary. I wrote a little biography about each of Zion’s pastors for the anniversary booklet in 2005.

I contacted the ELCA Region 6 Archives at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, for information about Zion’s pastors. The Region 6 Archives serves the six synods of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. They were very helpful and provided information about the Lutheran pastors who served at Zion from Lutheran publications such as The Lutheran Standard, biographical directories of pastors, district minutes and other sources. It appeared that they had an index card on each pastor.

From their information and some of my research, I compiled the following about Rev. Affeld:

Carl August Affeld was born 2 March 1868 in Zippnow, West Prussia, Germany, the son of Friedrich and Pauline (Marohm) Affeld, and died 31 October 1944 at Center, North Dakota, at the age of 76. He immigrated to America in 1883 and graduated from Luther Seminary, Afton, Minnesota, in 1893. He served the following congregations: North Washington, 1893-97; Zion, Chattanooga 1897-1900; St. Johns, New Bedford, Ohio, 1900-1902; he organized and served eight congregations in the vicinity of Turtle Lake, Coleharbor, Garrison, and Max, 1902-14; three congregation in Anamoose, North Dakota, 1914-20; New Leipzig 1921-26; Los Angeles, California, 1926-28; and Churchtown-Center, Rosebud, North Dakota, 1928-39. While at Zion Rev. Affeld performed more than 37 baptisms, eight marriages, nine funerals and confirmed two classes of young adults. He retired from the ministry in 1939. He married (1) Maria Baier in 1896 and (2) Ulricke Peske in 1919. Three sons and five daughters were born from his first marriage.

My great-aunt, Maria Regina Müller, and great-uncle, Jacob Müller Jr, were confirmed in each of Rev. Affeld’s two confirmation classes.

August Affeld married Mary Baier on 30 February [sic] 1896 by I. Schutz, pastor of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Celina, Mercer County. The marriage license and return was in Hardin County, Ohio. Mary was 16 years old and her father Philip Baier gave his consent. [1] Since there has never been 30 days in February they would not have been married on 30 February. Their license was dated 27 January and their marriage was probably on 30 January.

Affeld/Baier marriage, 1896.

Affeld/Baier marriage, 1896.

Two children were born to August and Mary during the time they lived in Chattanooga. Fredrick Wilhelm Affeld was born 12 January 1897 and Martha Magdalene was born 20 May 1898, both born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. Both births are recorded in Mercer County Probate. [2]

Friedrich & Martha Affeld birth record, Mercer County, Ohio, 1897 & 1989.

Friedrich & Martha Affeld birth record, Mercer County, Ohio, 1897 & 1898.

I was also able to furnish Danielle with some information from Zion’s records, one of my favorite sources of information. Both children were baptized at Zion and both baptismal records are below. Friedrich’s sponsors were Wilhelm Baier and Maria Casper. Martha’s sponsors were Sophia Schulz and Paulina Affeld.

Friedrich Wilhelm Affeld, b. 12 Jan 1897, bapt. 31 Jan 1897, Zion Chatt.

Friedrich Wilhelm Affeld, b. 12 Jan 1897, bapt. 31 Jan 1897, Zion Chatt.

I thought perhaps that I could give Danielle a copy of Rev. Affeld’s handwriting, but I can’t be sure he wrote these records himself. The nice handwriting may have been written by his wife or another person. Rev. Affeld was born in Germany and perhaps he would have used an umlaut for Pflüger instead of writing it Pflueger. We may never know, although the handwriting in the records did change after he left Chattanooga.

Martha Magdalene Affeld, b. 29 May 1898, bapt. 5 Jun 1898, Zion Chatt.

Martha Magdalene Affeld, b. 20 May 1898, bapt. 5 Jun 1898, Zion Chatt.

By 1900 the Affelds were living in Coshocton County, Ohio. They had a third child, August Charley, born 3 Nov 1899 in Coshocton County. [3] Their family in 1900: August Affeld 32; Mary C. 21; Frederick W. 3; Martha M. 2; August C, 6/12. The couple had been married 4 years, 3 children were born to them and all 3 were living. August was born in March 1868 in Germany, he immigrated 17 years before, in 1883, and he was naturalized. His occupation was Preacher and he could read, write and speak English. [4]

I’m glad I could help Danielle with records from Chattanooga.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XD2G-ZLL : accessed 14 Mar 2013), August Affeld and Miss Mary Baier, 1896, Hardin County, Ohio, Vol. 10: 187.

[2] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VN7J-1R3 : accessed 14 Mar 2013), August Affelt in entry for Fredrick William Affelt, 1897; August Affeld in entry for Martha M. Affeld, 1898, Mercer County, Ohio, Vol. 3:5.

[3] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VR9C-G3P : accessed 14 Mar 2013), August Affeldt in entry for August Charley Affeldt, 1899, Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. 3:78.

[4] 1900 U.S. census, Crawford, Coshocton, Ohio, Enumeration District: 0005, p. 11A, line 35, dwelling 207, family 217, August Affeld; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 March 2013); from National Archives microfilm T623, roll 1250.

Mar 12

Tombstone Tuesday–John and Anna Maria Becher

John & Anna Maria Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

John & Anna Maria Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of John and Anna Maria Becher, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The maker is inscribed:

Anna Maria
Apr. 8, 1837
Dec. 26, 1917

John Becher
May 20, 1833
July 25, 1883

BECHER

According to the old Family Register of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Johannes Becher was born 20 May 1833 in Thuisbrunn, District Oberfranken, Bavaria, the son of Friedrich and Margaretha Becher. Johannes was baptized in Bavaria and confirmed in Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio.

Johannes married Anna Maria Becker on 22 January 1855. Their marriage was performed by Zion’s first pastor, J.D. Gackenheimer. Rev. Gackenheimer was a traveling minister who established several congregations in the Mercer/Van Wert County area.

Zion was established in 1855 and their marriage was the first recorded in the old church book. His parents were given as Friedrich and Margaretha Becher, and hers as Johann and Barbara Becker.

Their marriage is also recorded in the Mercer County Probate Court, where both surnames were written as “Baker”. Maria’s father gave his consent for the marriage. [1]

Zion’s Family Register shows that Anna Maria was born 8 April 1837 in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Johann and Barbara Becker. She was baptized in Bethlehem and confirmed in Mercer County, Ohio.

The Bechers’ death and burial records were also in the church record book:

Johann Becher was born 20 May 1833 in Thuisbrunn, District Oberfranken, Bavaria. He died 25 July 1883 at the age of 50 years, 2 months and 6 days. He was buried on the 27th.

Mrs. Marie Becher, born Becker, died 26 December 1917, at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 18 days.  She was buried on the 28th.  Survivors were her children and grandchildren.  The cause of her death was dropsy and old age.

Below is a copy of Anna’s Ohio death certificate. It indicates that she was born in Pennsylvania and died in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, of hardening of the arteries. The informant was Mrs. Henry Becher of Chattanooga. [2]

Anna M. Becher death certificate, 26 December 1917, Mercer County, Ohio.

Anna M. Becher death certificate, 26 December 1917, Mercer County, Ohio.

According to Zion’s records Johannes and Anna had the following children, all born in Mercer County:

Sophia, b. 4 November 1855
Maria, b. 29 July 1857
Jakob, b. 8 May 1859
Catharina, b. 8 February 1861
Louisa, b. 23 August 1862
Johann Freidrich, b. 14 March 1864
Heinrich Conrad, b. 21 April 1866
Georg, b. 29 February 1868
Mathilda Barbara, b. 18 March 1870
Wilhelm Philipp, b. 2 March 1872

According to the 1876 and 1888 maps of Liberty Township, Mercer County, Johann Becher owned the west half of section 6, which would be 320 acres. His land would have been west of Chatt, on the Ohio/Indiana state line.

Johannes “John” and Anna Maria (Becker) Becher were the grandparents of Odas “Hod” and Clarence Becher, whose tombstones were recently featured on this website. Hod and Clarence’s father was Georg Becher, born in 1868.

 

[1] Mercer County Marriage Vol. D: 111, Probate Office, Celina, Ohio.

[2] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8VD-YZ8 : accessed 10 Mar 2013), Anna M Becher, 26 December 1917; citing Black Creek Twp., Mercer, Ohio, Dist no. 850, File no. 79518, Regis. no. 118.